YORKSHIRE LETTER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 1, 26 September 1917, Page 8

YORKSHIRE LETTER

GOVERNMENT CLIMBS DOWN / STATE CONTROL SCHEME MODIFIED Bradford, August 1. Thi6 week compels us to report another turn in the wool kaleidoscope, and the view it presents- ia certainly a more attractive one than seen for a long time. Gveat credit is due to the. wusic inerchanting end of the trade for putting up a plucky light, and their shot, has gone home. • No sooner was last week's letter posted than the announcement was made that in consequence of the combined action of the waste merchants, the Government considered it-wise to modify tlirir scheme, the result being that the nine Government firms were withdrawn. The announcement was made that trade would proceed as ÜBual, mid the scheme would be given three months' trial. This was a distinct triumph. Of course, the fixed prices of the Government are to remain in operation, the head of the Waste' Department will issue a Dermit to all dealers to sell to whom they like, and the withdrawal of the nine Government firms has given every satisfaction. The opinion is heard'on all hands that if the "big bugs" of Ihu wool trade had shown the same fight, State control by mere Government officials would fever have proceeded to tho leneth it has, but (diplomatically, no doubt) the big firms of topmakers havo been given a soft and lucrative .iob. and consequently they have cared not one .lot or tittle for the hundreds of firms, who. as previously stated, have been 'tonedoed." However, there is now a, modification announced, thanks to the masterly opposition of the spinner, headed by J;r. 3. W. Bnlmer. who to-day deserves the thanks of the entire trade for the wonderful way he has stepped to the front and challenged the figures of the Government regarding supplies and consumption. Opposition Bears Cood Fruit.' Wo have given during the past two weeks full details of the opposition seen in wool circles of the Government oHicials controlling the wool trade:, The Bradford meeting has borne exceedingly good fruit.The gauntlet thrown down Dy tho Spinners' Federation had to be taken up by the Department,, and to save their face they have spoken through the Central Wool Advisory Committee. It is well known to-day what that big body has done, how it has accomplished practically nothing, having to accept the policy ot tho Department officials, and having been made to be more or less the scapegoat of the entire trade. Since writing last, it has met in conference, Mr. 11. W. ,Jorster. M.P., Financial Secretary to the War Otfice, presiding. At the close of the. meeting the following remarkable statement was issued. to the iPress. and it IB so imaiftu* ance and agitation that had recently taken place in the trade, said that the pioblem had been engaging the close attention of the Department. Ho had discussed tpo matter at great length with the SurveyorGeneral of Supplies, with a view tci mating the views of the trade as far aapossible. Broadly stated, the demand nut forward by those who had taken a, hading h«een f SZ X™ M|£ » s>l firing was a, fundamental difference-between tho two industries at the present time owjns to the fact that the Government h*d bought the main stocks of wool. avaiV able to ensure provision for its own nec a ß, and as national credit had been used lor this purpose the Government must maintain Responsibility of its use. They could , riot, therefore, hand the trade over to any oody of people, however distinguished, altogether free from Government control. But while he could not go all tne way to meet the demands of his critics, the Department was anxious to do what they could to associate the trade with the management of the business. Wheu le went to Bradford a few days ago he syoke of the trado and the Government being In partnership, and he thought that the time lad now come when the spirit of partnership should bo ■ extended to actual management, and, accordingly, they had considered reorganisation and management with this end In view. So far as the purchase and distribution of the raw material was concerned, tho branch dealing with this matter, including topraaking and wool-combing, would remain aB at present uuder Colonel Willey, who was already assisted by tho British Wool Advisory Committee and the Top-makingr Committee. An extension ot these committees was contemplated to embrace the other interests concerned and to act in an advisory capacity. Full Executive Power. With regard to manufacture, it was decided to set up at Bradford a Board of Control, with lull executive powers,' under the chairmanship of Mr. Charles Sykes, assisted by representatives of the Department, including the chairman and an equal number representative of employers, and an equal number representative of employed. The two branchesraw material on the one hand and tho control of production on the other—would be co-ordinated through the Director of Haw Materials to the Surveyor-General of Supplies, so that ultimate Government responsibility might be preserved. The Board of Control would havo executive powers, to be defined, but it was necessary to reserve the ultimate decision on questions of price, the necessary reserve of wool, and the allocation of Government contracts, to the Department. With regard to civilian production the hoard would have a free hand, and would take over tho work of the Priority Committees. It was intended to preserve the present Central Wool Advisory Committee, and Hβ wished to pay a high tribute to it for its unselfißh arid patriotic' work through a difficult time. Ho suggested that the trade should elect or select its own representatives to serve upon the Board of Control through the committees already set. up. In order to obtain a board of workable size it would be impossible for every interest to Indirectly represented, and the board would he composed of representatives of the main branches of the industry. It was hoped, .however,, by development of tho local trade committee already Set up to ensure representation of every interest concerned. ■' > The Statistical Position. Difficulties had recently arisen owing to some uncertainty as to the statistical position, the amount, of stocks, the rate of consumption and so forth. It was important, that, there should be common agreement as to these figures. This work had been of extreme difficulty, and it had been well done. But when eo much had to depend upon estimates there was naturally room for differences of opinion. They were now however, able to make a fresh start with ascertained data, yielded by the results of the census of June .30. To avoid future difference he proposed to invite the trade to nominate a representative to assist the Department iu this most necessary work so thot all parties mifiht have coifidenco in tho statistical data upon which they had to proceed.

That was the scheme of reorganisation, on which they had decided. While it did not_ go all the way the Department's critics -wished to travel, it did undoubtedly ombody tho essence of partnership, which, to his mind, was tho true solution cf the problem. It left the management of the .trade in the hands of men who knew the trade throughout. That the schemo would escape or silence criticism he did not imagine, but it was a,n honest attempt to give the trade the fullest measure of control compatible with tho preser.-ation of ultimate- responsibility, of which the Government could not divest itself. Favourable Comment by the Trade. 1 Tho above is significant readine. and shows a, complete change of front in the attitude of the Government. It now means that the trado.is so to be Governed by itself, and although nobody desires to see State control relinquished, still there is every, reason for saying that a. different policy will be established from that which has hitherto been seen. It means that tho Priority' Committee will be largely scrapped. As ono looks back upon its work and the allocations made, it shows how fa.rcical they were. Of course, such a schemo was the product of some Uovernment official who knew no more about the trade than the man in tho moon, •while tho statistics of the Government have been collected and doled out to the high officials in a way which showed no practical knowledcc of how to deal with tJiem. It will be seen from the above that Mr. Bulmer's bombshell of statistics has pone home, and they deserve to. Tho independent flncini? of , the committee fl-pnomt-cd at the Brjifnrd meeting has not yet been announced, but wo know that it will bo very different to that furnished by the' Department. It will be found that stocks In the country Hi? much larger than havo been supposed in official Government circles, while tho estimates of consumption made by the officials has been very much ■at fault. It is too early to say what will take placo by way of reform, but a more sensible and business-like policy ia I'crtein to be inaugurated, and if tho needs of each section of the trade can lie met, it will case the situation and brine aborot more satisfactory; results.