WOOLLEN MILL INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24985, 20 September 1946, Page 5

WOOLLEN MILL INDUSTRY

RECESSIONS IN 1944-45

FEWER WORKERS EMPLOYED Recessions in the woollen milling industry in 1944-45 from the two immediately preceding years are re?orted in the Abstract of Statistics, he following changes are apparent:— employment declined by 5.6 per cent., but salaries and wages paid increased by 1.9 per cent.; the cost of materials used declined by 0.1 per cent.; the value of products fell by 0.2 per cent; and the added value fell by 0.2 per cent. The peak of activity in the woollen milling industry, measured by the value added by the industrial process, occurred in 1942-43, although the peak in employment was recorded in 194344. The increase of three in 1943-45

in the number of establishments operating was due to the establishing of two new woollen-spinning plants associated with the carpet and floor rug industry, and of a new branch factory for their hosiery department of one of the larger woollen mills. The establishing of the new factories was

reflected in the increase of £48,842 in the value of the fixed assets of the industry.

The quantity of greasy wool (13,438,8801 b used by mills in 1944-45 shows a decline of 8.3 per cent, on 1943-44. while the cost (£832,185) decreased by 5.9 per cent. The quantity of scoured wool produced was *,703,109 lb. Principal products, with figures for 1943-44 m parenthesis, were:—twefeds and cloths, 2,948,202 yards (3,008,241); flannel. 1.009,540yds (1.327,957); blankets. 201,517 pairs (257,811); rugs, 7316 (9024); yarn. 1,489,3131 b (1.582,577); hosiery, 186,301 dozen pairs (169,679); underwear. 35,611 dozen (42,835); cardigans, jumpers, pullovers, jerseys, etc., 23,163 (23,524). The peak of male employment (1697) occurred in July, 1943. and the number fell to 1553 in March. 1945. Female employment peak (2344) was reached in April and May, 1943, and the number fell to 1978 in March, 1945. Overtime worked in mills in 1944-45 was 538.873 hours, against 587,913 hours in 1943-44, and 1,252,896 hours in 194142.