LANCASHIRE'S LOSSES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 50, 28 August 1934, Page 9

LANCASHIRE'S LOSSES

CANCELLATION OF ORDERS

HOPE OF DELAY

(Heeeived August 2S, 11 a.m.)

LONDON, August 27,

■ Mr. I'orrost Hewitt, loader of the Lancashire deputation to Mr. Bruce on August 22, commenting on the reported Australian decision to adhere to tho cotton duties, said that Lancastrians could hardly act further pending an official announcement. Perhaps the Australian Government was leaving the dncision to the new Parliament.

Mr. Hewitt added: We hoped that tho application of the duties would be delayed until the Australian Governmenthad fully considered our case, since the cancellation of orders has caused much dislocation and loss and no new business has been plaeod. The Australian reference to special treatment for hardship cases and also the admission of goods for home consumption to November 11 may mean that the application for increases is somewhat delayed.

A deputation representing all sections of the Lancashire cotton industry, both employers and operatives, called on August 22 on the Australian High Commissioner, Mr. S. M. Bruce, to protest against tho recent increases in tho Australian tariffs on certain classes of cotton yarn and piece goods as being contrary to the Ottawa Agreemont by which tho Commonwealth Government undertook not to protect industries which had not sound prospects for success, and tho United Kingdom producers wove guaranteed a full opportunity of reasonable competition. The deputation dissociated themselves from tho threatened boycott of Australian foodstuffs, but said that they were unablo to influence the Bolton grocers. Mr. Bruce warned them that tho Australians might retaliate by saying, "We won't buy from Britain," which movement the Government' might not bo able to control, just as the textile traders were unable to control tho

grocers. The textile traders' main argument was that Australia had infringed the Anglo-Australian Ottawa Agreement. Mr. Bruce contended that Australia had treated Lancashire cotton bettor than any other industry.