THE LONDON DOCKS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12493, 20 March 1909, Page 4

THE LONDON DOCKS.

A writer in the "Windsor Magazine" treats on the merchandise and ' commodities to be found at the London docks. Eastern Silks and cottons arrive, in colour, pattern, and every odour, quite unacceptable to the English taste. They only seek to be reshippod for markets where their peculiar qualities may be in greater demand. Thus Madras handkerchiefs, woven in harsh coloured checks by the village craftsmen of South India, are | brought to London on their way to be worn 'as loin cloths by the native tribes of Africa. . "Our Manchester men have tried to mamifactnre these goods, and have been fairly successful in imitating the pattern, and even the texture? but the odour-a curious, oily one— has completely battled them, and without that characteristic, tribal chiefs will have none of them; certainly they will not exchange ivory _ or birds, oil or rubber, for such base imitations." The unprogressive spirit ot the manufacturers who in each village have adhered by tradition for ages past to one particular tint and design, is also appreciated by the Africans, thus enabled to distinguish themselves in their turn by faithfulness each to some particular check. Bandanna silk handkerchiefs, hand-woven and dyed in India, find the longest way round tho shortest way to Burmah. Here again British competition is not available, for the irregularity produced by primitive methods or hand-work has such a charm for the Burmese that they reject our well defined spots at' set intervals, showing a pattern printed by machinery. On the wonderhil "fur floor," at Crutched Friars warehouse, it is curious to note that .nine-tenths of all America's trade comes first to London, where trappers and collectors from trappers can realise the highest price— though a good half is shipped straight back in the raw state to be distributed in .New York. China «ilk shawls, with embroideries too violently bom for Hjiigli&h eyes,; are 'imported for sale-again amongst colour-loving Spaniards, •at home or in central or South America. Such are a few amongst hundreds, or vagaries in collection and distribution.