INDIAN COTTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 56, 8 March 1946, Page 7

INDIAN COTTON

NONE HERE FOR SOME TIME (P.A.) Auckland, March 6. "I do not see a great future for Indian exports within the next ten years,” said Mr. Vernon C. Mathews, of Christchurch, who lias arrived in Auckland after making a business trip to India for the purpose of endeavouring to arrange for supplies of cotton I extiles, carpets, and coir products. Last year. Mr. Mathews said, Indian mills produced only seven yards per bead of cloth, yet'ti minimum of 16 yards per head a year was required for lhe frugal covering for the population. Because of this, the Indian Government had imposed a quota system on exports from the country and would not allow mills to weave “luxury” lines such asfcood quality poplin shirts. Mr. Mathews could not see any possibility of exports of those lines from India for many years, and said he considered India would not become a serious competitor Io Great Britain. Indian carpets would ultimately become available in New Zealand again, although phices would continue to be higher than before the war. “People who speak of cheap labour in India are under a misapprehension," said Mr. Mathews. “Because of caste and religious complications it is generally necessary to employ considerably' more workers than in other countries, and an v saving In wages is immediately offset by this."