YORKSHIRE LETTER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 280, 15 August 1918, Page 8

YORKSHIRE LETTER

ALLIES! ECONOMICAL POSITION

APPRAISING N.Z. SLIPED WOOL

(From Our Special Correspondent.) Bradford, June 20. The question of the one-man business scheme is one which, during the past fortnight, has been uppermost throughout textile circles, tho wholo subject affecting a good many men who are engaged in handling the raw material all (lie way from the Heeco to the finished fabric. From what has transpired it is patent that considerable misconception lias jirevailed anions thoso who aro the sponsors of the scheme, the Ministry of National Service never for a moment contemplating that the principles operating in the one-man business scheme would be . applied to (lie textile irdustry. Of course it was set on foot here in Bradford with every show of being a Government move, and no doubt the 'best of motives prompted I he General Organiser of the Ministry of National Service when he called the lir.st meeting and explained to a largo gathering of business men the intentions of the scheme. Having a reasonable show of being official, everybody naturally accepted tho proposal with as. good, heart as possible, notwithstanding (hat many questions which tho various panels asked caused a good denl of heart-burn-ing. It now turns out that somebody has blundered, and the General Organiser of the Ministry of National Service explained to a full meeting of the various panels early this week that apparently a mistake had been made, pointing "out that the movement taken is entirely a voluntary oue, and tho various obj'ectionnl questions regarding finance have to be doleted from the papers. Things appeair noil' to be more reasonable, and not; before it was time. Tho various panels as constituted are to remain, and they will act as it wero the buffer between the oneman businesses and the tribunal, tho various panels to consider the special cases of those seeking their help, and will no doubt render excellent service in the capacity in which they are tailed upon to serve. 'A lot has been said about tlio whole scheme which does not amount to uracil, and so long as it is now stated to, be entirely voluntary, and no compulsion of any kind whatever is to be exercised, every'man feels that ho can fall in with the requests of tho different panels and work in full harmony with the .Ministry of National Service.

Big Army Orders in Prospect, It was known by those with inside knowledge that large army orders were shortly to be given out, and now the Cloth Section of the Department has seen fit lo place considerable new business with spinners and manufacturers. This is inevitable. Ono must recognise the steadily increasing American Army over here in England and in France, and to all appearance not half the number of men have arrived that are expected, notwithstanding it has been publicly stated, and the news cabled to this side that well on towards one million men have already landed in Europe. Tho writer explained some weeks ago that an agreement had been arrived at with the Cloth Section of the American Government whereby renewals for American troops should be made in this country, and the class ot fabrics now worn by American ti , oops_ is identical with those worn by British troops. American fabrics no doubt were all right when the men were on parade, and particularly for a hot American sunfmer, but when trench warfare has to bo encountered every man needs something more than a oottonundervest and a cloth, lfioz.. m weight, for trousers and tunic. J.his is now recognised by the American authorities themselves, and American soldiers arc being sent over in at least 20oz. fabrics, which are none too heavy for active service. Big quantities of underwear aro being produced in Leicester and Nottingham for American troops, and activo preparations are now in hand for purchasing further big quantities of both tartan and drab serge, and particularly heavy overcoating, which will be wanted for next winter. In addition, tho new men between 41 and 51 are being called to tho colours very fast, consequently averv provision must be made for clothing all sections, whicli means machinery being employed on as largo a scaln as at any time since the outbreak of war. There is to be a meeting of the Board of Control of Wool Textile Production, and the members of the Eaw Wool Advisory Committee, on June 27, when the Director of Enw Materials (Sir Arthur, Goldfinch) will no doubt put bel'oro them the latest details of the Government's programme regarding supplies for military and civil purposes. In view of the big requirements for the military, it is almost certain that the quantity to bo set apart for civil needs will be exceedingly limited, and therefore firms throughout Great Britain are being urged to take on Government work and so help to meet national needs. Tho past three months has seen a little ease in the nroduction of military fabrics, and now that the time has arisen for moro to be made, it behoves everyone- to do their very best.

Appraisement of Sliped Wools. News haa been received in Bradford by the last New Zealand mail by ono of the first wool houses in Bradford that it is proposed to appraise elipes in NewZealand and not in London. How far this is true the writer cannot 6ay. hut it will not go down at all well with tho London brokers and those who have interests in slines and other New Zealand produce. From the first elipes have been appraised in Columnn Street whero * lie standard list of prices for appraisement of the different classes was arranged, and as far as we know nothing has happened to disturb the peace of either fellmongere nnd freezing works. authorities in New Zealand or London. It can be safely snid that those at this end know best tho requirements of the trade, nnd are certainly in the best position to put tho various descriptions of slipee into their proper'grade on account of many years of handling these wools. In the Department there are 'two or three men who have specialised in the purchasing and handling of New Zealand sliped wools in nre-war times, and their seirvices along with those of London brokers, have proved invaluable in appraising thesespecial classes of raw material. Tho writer tins no need to emphasise the acceptability of sliped wools in the least. They Tank among the first and most serviceable raw material, and slip<;s to-day arc certainly meeting with a popular demand. The suitability of these wools for the production of khaki cannot bo over-estimated; in fact, they are among the most essential wools, nnd manufacturers who are denied them, frooueiitly complain bitterly, because they work so well in the machines, blend particularly well with noils and shoddy, the resultnut fabric being of the best. The arrivals lately have not been over large, and in their absence English pulled wools are being distributed to manufacturers. The Colonial Purchase. Since writing last, cablo news has been received from Melbourne to tho eifect that the Imperial Government has purchased the Australian clip till the end of the war and for one year afterwards. This announcement has called forth no. surprise; in fact, it is a natural development of the present scheme of Slate control. No details are forthcoming, and the trade does not know what has been paid to growers. That does not matter a great deal to the trade at this end, although it is uu item of more than ordinary interest. What concerns everyone is the preservation of British Empire and Allied interests well beyond the cessation of hostilities, and it is recognised .throughout the trade as a very wise step. Those who have been opposed to State control have spoken strongly, not against the principle, but against the methods of application, and tho serious loss of both business and time which the whole scheme has entailed. Everybody is concerned about the preservation, if not even pooling, of tho resources of the British and Allied countries with a view

of establishing business in general when the- war fiuished, and it is only right and proper J.bat those who .are figuring to establish humanity uu a sale and firm foundation of liberty and freedom should participate in those resources which will help as quickly as possiblo partly to atono for the iinmcu.se losses and sacrifices which are being made to-day. Germany is gravely concerned about her economic position when the war finished, but the tragic spectacle must never ho repeated of allowing Germany to avail herself without let or hindrance of British Umpire-grown wool with n view repeating the font deeds which she had done to civilisation during the past fotti" years.