HAND-WEAVING BY SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3142, 21 July 1917, Page 2

HAND-WEAVING BY SOLDIERS

NOW ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS. After a littlo over six months' tuition and work a number of returned soldiers havo been able to produce hand-woven tweeds on a commercial basis in Australia. So far only eleven returned soldiers nro engaged in tho industry established by Sergeant W. A. Sinclair, but it is hoped that since it has been demonstrated that, cloth can bo produced at a price that will return a profit after wages are paid, there will bo an immediate e> tension of the enterprise. Tho school at Leicester Street, Carlton .(Victoria) was inspected last week by members of the State War Council, and Acting-State Commandant, Brigadier-General "Williams. At the school there aro two looms, a warping machine nnd winder. Ten additional loonis are wanted. The material in tho existing loonis was donated and tho machines vrwc assembled bv tho soldiers themselves. Tho enly difficulty in the way of un extension is tho lack of yarn, but it is believed that this may bo obtained if tho Slate War Council goes tho right way to work. An examination of tho hand-woven material on viow at tho schools rondlly convinces ono of its quality. It is a high-class product, and, of course, compares i;iore than favourably with the twpods turned out by machinery. About 850 yards rf twcotls of various patterns and nviglils aro to be submitted for sale by ]ulilb miction at the Stock Kxc;linn«c shoitly. Tho proceeds are to go to tho TEcpnlriiition Fund.