A THRIVING VENTURE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 131, 26 May 1921, Page 4

A THRIVING VENTURE.

What can be done by a little initiative and perseverance is shown in the story, told in a Sydney exchange, of the success that has attended the institution in New South Wales of a woollen hand-weaving industry for disabled soldiers. Special attention has been drawn to it at the present time because, for want of orders from already over-stocked wholesale houses, the material produced is being offered in i-etail measure to the general public, a surplus of some 20,000 yards being available for the purpose. This handweaving industry, it appears, dates back to 1915, when two ladies were sent by the N.S.W. Red Cross Society to Melbourne to investigate its possibilities. They reported in favour of the establishment of the industry, and the first loom was given by the then Minister for Education (Mr. James). From this small beginning the industry has developed until there are thirtysix looms at work, and forty disabled men and ten war widows find constant and remunerative employment in the industry. The looms now in use were all constructed by the returned men, and each weaver can turn out 70 yards of 60in. tweed weekly. The average weekly earnings of the men in the industry exceed £5. The men are the owners of the industry, which is run on a co-operative basis. The Red Cross executive assisted the men in its establishment and development, but when it became self-supporting they passed the main control over to the workers, merely retainng voting shares giving the right to elect three members to the board of control. Up to a month ago demand for the goods from wholesale houses was greater than the supply, and the industry was generally weeks behind in the fulfilment of orders. Retail houses carrying the tweeds found them in constantly increasing demand. It is hoped shortly to extend the number of looms, and, in addition to a retail depot, to have a tailoring workshop, where suits and costumes will be made in the latest styles by returned soldier tailors and costumiers. It makes a New Zealander’s back itch for a new turn-out when he reads that it is possible, at the retail depot, to buy a suit-length of this “tweed of the finest Australian wool, hand-woven throughout, and of standard dyes,” at prices varying from £2 to £3. Is New Zealand behind the times in not attempting something of the same kind, or is it that none of our wools are suitable fur the w r ork ? A good many of us would be glad to get good “rough” material at the price quoted. What is the mill cost in the Dominion for the like?