BELGIANS & LACE-MAKING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2527, 30 July 1915, Page 3

BELGIANS & LACE-MAKING

n. AN ASSOCIATION T)OI.TO GOOD WORK. In March last an inquiry was received by The Dojiiniox from Wan<;anui. asking whether the Belgian, lace industry was still an industry at all, a question that was prompted by an 'indenror having offered to indent Belgian hand-made lace to local houses. At that time'there was considerable obscurity as to the position of the industry now that the greater part of the. country is under German rule. Where, is the _ delicate Flemish lace of exquisite designs to come from, the world-renowned Brussels applique, and the, fanciful creations of •Mechlin and Valenciennes? Inquiries were made by tho British Trade Commissioner (Mr. W. G.. Wickham), who ■by the last mail received adfico of a 'reassuring character, sufficient to practically ensure that the' lace-making art is not being permitted to'die- 1 oat. ;In London a body called the Anglo-Belgian Lace Association has' been formed by Mrs. Inglefield and others under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Christian, the primary object oi which is to find employment for tho Belgian' refugees, in co-operation v.itli the lace industries of England. At the back of the movement is a small committee of (fistinguished Belgians connected with their own Government Departments. In consequence of the war the works liave had a great difficulty in selling their lace, so a number of stilled lace-workers have been lodged at 47 Upper Brook Street, London, Wi, where it is proposed to sell their 1 lace as "well English-made.- ' . The great object of this Anglo-Bel-gian Lace Association is, even if ths lace cannot during the war be all sold, to try and pay a certain percentage at once* on all lace made,' and -then when in happier, times it can bo disposed of the workers' should receive the balance'of their earnings. ■ " Any further information on the subject will be given by communicating with the secretary at 47 Upper Brook Street, London. ■ '