WOOL ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1929, Page 6

WOOL ENQUIRY

QUESTION OF SAFEGUARDING

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

LONDON, March 12

Comyns Carr, in putting the opponents case before the Wool Safegmuding Inquiry, pointed out it was difficult to make credible comparisons of English and foreign wages, in the absence of foreign witnesses. England’s loss of the dress goods trade especially to France, was due to a difference of warp. French cloths were generally single warp, while Bradfords were double wprp, the durability of which was formerlv popular. It was now a positive disadvantage because the modern girl expected a dress to be worn out at the end of a season so that she could buy a new one. LONDON, March 12.

The first witness against the apphea-' lion was John Ross, managing director of Crombie Ltd. He is described as the largest woollen manufacturer in Scotland. He said bis firm worked full time continuously. The output was confined to men’s wear. He estimated the export business represented 84 per cent of the turnover. Despite severe competition in foreign markets the firm bad increased Continental business by concentrating on novelties and exercising economies. If a safeguarding duty wore imposed it would seriously affect foreign trade. 1 broe of bis principal German customers bad already advised him that Germany would* certainly impose a countervailing duty. 1 , . Cross-oxamhmd. Ross admitted bis fellow directors supported the application. He also admitted that the Scottish trade feared Yorkshire more than foreign competition. F k ].’ox (Chairman of box Brothers) ! deposed' the depression in textiles throughout the world was due to a reduced- demand for woollens Men were spending less on clothes and more on motoring holidays. AI omen did not sacrifice clothes for motoring hut used far less material lor a costume.