THE COTTON INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 62, 11 February 1936, Page 6

THE COTTON INDUSTRY.

Of all the industries in Britain, the cotton industry of Lancashire seems to have suffered the most, more even than the coal industry. Not only did the depression cause havoc in the industry, but recovery also has been impeded through the intense competition of Japan. It Avas belieA r ed by most people that Japan’s success avi\s due to loav costs of production, but while that has undoubtedly been a big factor it lias not been the sole cause, or even the principal cause of Japan’s success. Sir Walter Preston, avlio made a vigorous speech in the House of Commons on the second reading of the Cotton Spinning Industry Bill, is the head of a machinery manufacturing firm, and visited Japan last year to investigate matters. He found that Japan was equipped Avith modern machinery of 12,500 revolutions as compared Avith 7500 revolutions in the cotton inills of Lancashire. On his return to England he pointed out the faulls of Lancashire and suggested that a mill equipped Avith the latest machinery should be established, and backed up his opinion by offering to take a financial interest in the neAV concern. In the House of Commons he stated that if Lancashire Avere given the same machinery that Japan avus using and worked on mass production lines, with a more modern marketing organisation, the Lancashire operatives, avlio AAere more efficient, could beat Japan in the Avhole of the Empire markets. Several of the Lancashire mills had been re-equipped recently and Lancashire would be able shortly to publish to the Avide world the fact that she could compete. The Lancashire Aveavers have an inborn technical skill, for weaving is the job of families from generation to generation. Not only this, Lancashire patterns are more varied and more attractive. Japan, at the moment, has an advantage of possessing modern machinery, but that advantage will soon vanish. Lancashire Avill soon be a flourishing county in industrial England.