Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28, 1932. THE COTTON DISPUTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 26, 28 December 1932, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28, 1932. THE COTTON DISPUTE.

A recent London cablegram conveyed the information that the long standing dispute between the weavers in the cotton trade and the employers, on the question of the number of looms to be operated by each employee, had been settled on a satisfactory basis. There has been much heartburning over this matter, and if has been a fertile cause of disputes leading to strikes. It is now stated that the weavers will operate six instead of four looms which they had made the maximum in their demands to the manufacturers. The importance of a settlement in this branch of the cotton industry cannot be over-emphasised. It has been ■well said that no matter what wag-es agreements are negotiated, if the question of the looms is not settled there cannot be peace in the industry. Now that the parties, have composed their differences, there should be that peace in Lancashire which is the earnest desire of the people of Britain. The cotton industry has been in a particularly unhappy state for several months past. No less than 160,000 workers in the spinning section were on strike from August 27 to September 28, when a settlement was effected under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour. The main question was one of wages which were reduced by an amount of approximately 154 per cent, on piece rates. Operatives who had gone on strike in June were also promised reinstatement. Much surprise was caused, subsequently when the men turned down the agreement. Last month, however, the strike terminated when the Spinners’ Amalgamation by ballot voted 20,252 in favour of continuing the stoppage, and 13,553 against, and the card room employees’ vote showed 28,148 for the settlement and 14,850 opposed to it. In the first instance 59.91 of those voting were in favour of the strike continuing, but the rules of the Union require a percentage of 80. The leaders on both sides expressed their pleasure that the dispute had been terminated and immediate arrangements were made for opening the mills. The president of the Employers’ Federation (Mr F. Mills) expressed the hope that the ratifying of the agreement would enable the cotton trade to pass from the wages question to other pressing problems urgently requiring attention. No doubt one of these was the looms issue, and it is highly gratifying to note that another amicable settlement has been made within a month of the wages question. Now the two great branches of the industry have reconciled their differences with the employers-, and it will be sincerely hoped that the peace will be an enduring one. It was stated in October that the industry has brighter opportunities than for a considerable time past. As home consumption only amounts to about 25 per cent, of the cotton goods produced in Lancashire, an export trade is of vital importance to the county and to Britain. In recent years, unfortunately, a large amount of the pre-war export trade has been lost. Indian home manufacture and Japanese competition in the East have reduced exports _ to India to at least half, while China is forging, ahead .with its cotton

manufactures. The United States is also an active competitor. The great need in England, it has been emphasised many times by national leaders, is to place the industry on an internationally competitive basis. Only by doing so will the British cotton trade be lifted out of the depression of the past ten j r ears which has left its mark upon a once great prosperous industry. The prospect of an enduring peace is a happy augury for the new year. The chances of reorganisation should be made immeasurably brighter thereby.