H.—44

16. Woollen-manufacturing. Official statistics— 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. Establishments (number) .. .. 12 12 12 12 Employees (number) .. .. 2,532 2,632 2,792 2,748 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £345,591 £360,782 £405,484 £422,240 Value of output .. .. .. £1,048,849 £1,005,830 £1,230,829 £1,258,319 Value added by manufacture .. £588,448 £592,741 £653,292 £654,773 Imports of Piece-goods (Calendar Years). 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. Silk and artificial silk .. .. £879,544 £1,088,344 £1,215,265 £953,275 Woollen .. .. .. £652,693 £852,337 £1,312,846 £776,149 Cotton £1,667,074 £1,854,589 £1,944,289 £1,497,504 During the early portion of the year business was very slack, particularly in worsted and knitting yarns, mainly as a result of competition from imported goods and the mild weather of last autumn which delayed the demand for winter wear. Employment was below normal and warehouse stocks were heavy. Import control has completely altered the outlook for the industry. Mills are now working at maximum capacity, and because of the lack of labour deliveries are likely to be delayed. Expansion of plant and premises is planned in certain quarters. 17. Printing and Publishing. • Official statistics — 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. Establishments (number) .. .. 373 384 381 370 Employees (number) .. .. 8,079 7,727 7,903 8,153 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £1,513,478 £1,575,707 £1,749,646 £1,899,062 Value of output .. .. ..£3,758,937 £4,040,114 £4,406,804 £4,839,449 Value added by manufacture ..£2,795,309 £2,963,172 £3,227,010 £3,485,415 Most firms report a good year, although competition has remained keen. Prospects for the future are good. 18. Brush, and Broom Making. Official statistics— 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. Establishments (number) .... 15 17 18 19 Employees (number) .. .. 253 302 335 348 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £37,008 £43,156 £50,198 £56,664 Value of output .. .. .. £118,251 £145,863 £192,332 £178,614 Value added by manufacture .. £61,910 £74,941 £100,737 £94,791 Local competition has been keen and sales and staff do not show any increase. Supplies of horse-hair are becoming scarcer, and the price of this commodity rose appreciably during the year. The future outlook is encouraging. 19. Superphosphates and Chemical Fertilizers. Official statistics — ] 9.34-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. Establishments (number) .... 8 8 8 8 Employees (number) .. .. 644 690 753 902 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £138,257 £149,020 £186,208 £240,319 Value of output .. .. .. £1,358,108 £1,360,123 £1,498,228 £1,809,471 Added value .. .. .. £511,552 £539,428 £597,020 £697,269 Reference is made in a previous section of this report to the conditions existing in this industry. 20. Aerated-water and Cordial Factories. Official statistics — 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. Establishments (number) .. 127 129 116 120 Employees (number) .. .. 531 529 544 609 Salaries and wages paid .. £99,878 £102,698 £.115,519 £132,551 Value of output .. .. £321,176 £327,106 £375,082 £497,169 Added value.. .. .. £232,256 £230,269 £258,404 £339,614 Sales were steady and employment at a high figure. An extremely mild autumn was beneficial to the trade. 21. Iron and Brass Foundries. Official statistics — 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. Establishments (number) .. 41 42 44 48 Employees (number) .. .. 674 791 883 930 Salaries and wages paid .. £113,215 £137,764 £168,710 £201,318 Value of output .. ... £263,844 £338,951 £427,736 £505,479 Added value .. .. .. £174,405 £214,739 £260,009 £304,819 Iron-foundries have been fairly busy throughout the year, and a slight stimulus has been experienced from the Import Regulations. Brassfounders report improved conditions as the year advanced, and the import restrictions resulted in foundries working to capacity. Extensions to factories and plant have been commenced, and the additional skilled labour required is expected to be difficult to obtain.

40