OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 13

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER

'FnoM Onß SvZCTAL ConRESVONPBWV ) SIGNIFICANCE OF GOVERNMENT LABOUR CENSUS TO COLOMAI. GROWERS. BRADFORD, October 19. There seems to be on the wool horizon several matters of more than passing importance to colonial growers, all of which prove that we are living in stirring times. We are living in days of census, one Government paper after another following in quick succession, all of which seems to be infusing into the whole wool and textile industry a spirit of militarism. .Evidently the Army Contract's Department—at least tho War Materials Branch which has been created undor that section of the War Office —will be in possession of some wonderful figures relating to the textile trade when the war finishes, and it is hardly likely that it will relinquish its hold upon the close of hostilities. It may seem strange, but it is nevertheless true, that up to last December there was no official at the Government whose business it was to look after tho wool and textile industry, .the only figures available being those taken in the ordinary course of the work of the Board of Trade; but a special branch has been created, and the whole industry is being now tackled in a thorough, manner. In seme respects American methods of tabula tion are being adopted, and not only has there been a census of machinery taken, but other censuses as well. A SHEEP CENSUS. At the. time the writer made mention that British sheep-farmers were served with a census pc.per requiring full particulars of the number of hog, ewe, and wether fleeces shorn this year, this being an entirely new method of prpceduce. Of course the annua) etock returns are a regular thing; but for every sheep-farmer to have to state how many fleeces are actually shorn, and their . nature, and also to_ give the buyer of his previous clip, surprised everyone. Still, it will furnish the War Material Branch with some important data, and it is to be hoped that tho particulars will be available to the public. No such census has ever been taken before in the history of the British 6heep and wool trade-in fact, the production has always boon an estimated one, whereas this year it will be actually known what is the weight of wool produced in the fleece and also the pulled state. The Raw Materials Branch has also taken steps for acquiring full details of tho sheep and wool produce of the entire world, particularly South America, and all our colonies. Every publication extant dealing with tho wool and textile trade has been consulted, and it was high time such a procedure was undertaken. A LABOUR CEUSUS. This week a new census being taken. Forms have been issued requiring a return of the labour in the woollen and worsted trades for the week ending October 14. and everyone employing labour is requested to return tho number of workpeople employed during that week, and to give a return specially of those fit for general service, fit for service abroad but not for general service, and fit for service at homo only. Of course this refers to the male employees. Every class of workpeople is to bo numbered, and if a firm is engaged on more than one section of the woollen and worsted trades, and in consequence receives more than one set of schedules, they are to take care to return their general and office staff only once. The wool-combing schedule asks for details of males of 13 and under *l6 years, and 16 and, under 18 years; of those from 18 to 4-1 years, details of all men under 31 years, whether unmarried on the date of the National Registration or married, and the same with regard to those of 31 years up to 41 years, together with particulars of their military medical examination. This is all done with the express purpose of trying to see what labour is actually available for running machinery expressly employed upon Government work, and manufacturers are being ask.cd to state also what amount of standing machinery they have in all branches of their business. SIGNIFICANCE TO COLONIAL GROWERS. Tho writer is justified in asking what relation all the above details bear to colonial pastoralists. The question is a sensible one, and deserves an answer. The bearing upon colonial wools is seen in the fact that it means a lessened or increased consumption in so far as the present standing machinery can be set working by labour which is at present engaged upon civilian purposes only, and which is likely to be transferred to those firms which are wanting workpeople to execute Government orders. The Army Council have now the power under the Defence of the Realm Act simply to do with the individual as the authorities think fit It is not to-day a question of declining, and the pow'ers that be are consulting with mill-owners to see if something cannot be done to get more work-people with a view of augmenting output of those goods expressly desired by Great Britain and her Allies for the prosecution of the war. Then, too, the export trade comes next, home requirements or civilian needs being left to take care of themselves. The motive behind all this, no doubt, is the right one, only Englishmen and English women do not like being knocked about from pillar to post. It is a fact that the labour organisation in Bradford, along with the Government, have agreed that women shall be allowed to work all night in the combing sheds of Bradford in order to increase the output of tops—a very desirable thing indeed. Of course, the society officials have to have access to the firms' premises where women are employed at nights; and howovcr inhuman the principle of women working all through the night, may appear to colonials, it is a fact that the men are not there to run all tho machines during tho day, and unless the writer is greatly mistaken a certain proportion of pivot men—namely, overlookers—will have to bo brought back from the army to tackle the responsible positions which they occupied before they joined tho colours. •COLONIAL ADVICES. Some surprise has been expressed by the receipt of cable news from Melbourne stating that competition li keener, that best ipcrinos and comebacks being about lgd dearer, and fino and medium crossbreds an avorago penny higher, although everyone knows the general excellence of Victorian jnerinos and crossbreds. Of course, everybody expects to see good combing merinos remain steady and firm; but evidently increased buying orders must have gone from Allied countries, there being nothing in Bradford to warrant higher prices being

paid for merinos, although the market is still very satisfactory for fino crossbreds and merino tops. The fact is, confidence still obtains rcgaiding all combing wools, and if values can be maintained on to-day s level, it is very unlikely that there will be any withdrawal of the embargo permitting America to buy. However, the whole situation is satisfactory, and most healthy, ana tho outlook favours a continuance of today's values.

BRADFORD MARKET CONDITIONS. A healthy tone characterises the market, particularly in merinos. During the interval since the last London sales a, good amount of inquiry has been experienced; but as soon as another series comes into sight tho manufacturing end of the trade, as represented by spinners, begins to come into the market and to show an inclination to place further orders. At present a twofold effect is being produced. With topmakers already having as much work in front of them as they are likely to bo ablo to cope with for some months to come, some are now disposed to quote higher prices than were current last week. This scem3 to suggest that merino tops will go another stop higher. The other factor is that many firms, being aware of tho scarcity of labour and the difficulty which is likely to bo experienced in getting out contracts, as well as the fact that dearer tops in Bradford would contribute to dearer wool in London, are not disposed to consider the new inquiry seriously, but are holding off their customers in the hope of keeping London values on a basis somewhere about, or at least not above, the present one. The inquiry seen is not confined to forward business, but includes such spot lots as are likely to bo available, and the result is that holders of spot lots who have been disposed to clear have been able to make exceedingly good figures. Crossbreds are not very active, no quality moving frceiy. though values are very firmly maintained. In connection with forthcoming London supplies there is no weight of merino wool worth speaking of to be offered, a very largo proportion being crossbreds. It may bo expected, however, that the demand for the latter class of wool will be quite equal to absorbing the whole of the supplies, for it is impossible for military requirements to be entirely met out of home-grown wools, while there is also the tremendous civilian requirements to be considered.