WORLD GIRDLE OF COTTON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20033, 4 September 1939, Page 14

WORLD GIRDLE OF COTTON

80 RINGS ROUND EQUATOR LANCASHIRE OUTPUT MANCHESTER, Aug. 4.1. Lancashire’s production of cotton cloth is now so extensive that it would stretch eight times the distance between the earth and the moon, according to the latest figure's which have just been published. The total output of piece-goods made for sale during 1937 was 3,376,175,000 linear yards, the equivalent of slightly over 3,000,000,000 metres.

The figures ar e only now available because there is necessarily a time lag before the total production from all sources can be worked out. They are difficult to appreciate, but it may be stated that the yardage of the products of Lancashire looms for the year was sufficient to provide a belt of cloth approximately 40in. in width whicn would extend 80 times round the world.

These figures refer to goods made by the cloth manufacturers for sale. In addition there is the yardage of cloth made on commission which would provide another belt, not quite so wide, but sufficient to encircle the earth once again.

The clearest idea of all, however, can be gained from the realisation that the cotton cloth production of this country is sufficient to provide every living soul on earth (according to 1931 estimates) with 2yds each. If the goods were confined to the British Empire the provision would be Byds each.

In 1937 Lancashire cotton weavers paid £59,037,000 for their raw materials (primarily cotton yarn) and produced goods to the gross value of £84,500,000. The average net output of the 173,595 persons employed was £142 and this compares with £123 in 1935. This last point may (be said successfully to refute any talk of Lancashire’s loss of efficiency.