BRADFORD'S COMPETITORS

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16711, 29 January 1926, Page 9

BRADFORD'S COMPETITORS

STATE OF WORSTED TRADE. The British Board of Trade committee appointed to inquire into the application by Yorkshire manufacturers for the imposition of a duty on imported worsted fabrics, heard further evidence at the Law Courts,' London. The first part of the proceedings was in camera.

When the public were readmitted Mr James Herbert Mortimer was called to give evidence. He said he had had 2S years' experience in the manufacture of worsted dress goods. At the request of a committee of the applicants' federation he had been investigating and analysing the 1913 imports of manufactures.

Mr Willoughby Jardine (for the applicants) said it was felt" that the tribunal might take the view that the figures for the last pre-war year would represent the normal imports. The chairman (Sir liiur Whinney).—We have not sa.u so. Mr Jardine. —It was presumed that that was the view that would be presented to you by the other side.

Mr Mortimer said his view was that goods had been imported into this country in an abnormal quantity at a tinfe when those goods could be made by our own workpeople, who were unemployed in considerable numbers. Mr Jardine. —Do you think 1913 is a fair comparison to be made against you?—tn,'o. The goods imported in J 913 wore not, with the exception of about 10,000,000 yards, comparable to the goods which are being imported to-day,

Answering Mr Entwistlc (for the opponents to the application), Mr Mortimer said that Bradford did not make cloths of the printed delaine type before the war. The goods which were being imported from France at the present time were comparable with Bradford goods.

Some Improvement. Mr Entwistle submitted figures regarding unemployment, and the witness agred that the figures showed a diminution. Mr Entwistle. —Does that mean that trade is improving?—There has certainly been an improvement in trade in the Bradford district. There has been a marked improvement in the home trade since it was announced that this Committee was going to sit. Mr Bevin.—There is no suggestion that we are to be made permanent to keep the improvement up. (Laughter).

Mr Entwistle.—Has ' this Committee made the French prices go up? That was what you were complaining of that the French prices were so low. Mr Mortimer.—This is what happened. A Committee of Inquiry was appointed by the Board of Trade. , The home trade buyers throughout the country knew what a good case we had. (Laughter.) They did not want any longer to give any orders to the Continent for fear that they would have to pay duty on them. They have therefore given orders to Bradford. Buying for the spring season usually ends in September. It was after September that it was announced that this Committee was going to sit, and my own Arm have sold more than twice as much in home trade since September as before.

The last witness for the applicants was Mr William Knox, of the Arm of Messrs John Knox, Silsden, who said that of 410 looms 50 per cent .were now idle.

Mr G. Atkinson, K.G., opening the case for the opponents, said that, from the point of Yiew of the public, one must realise that they were not merely paying the duty imposed, but also the various percentages put on by each person handling the cloths. The chairman.—Suppose the price does go up, are we concerned in that under the White Paper? Counsel. —At some time you have to say what is the duty you recommend. I am going to suggest when you come to consider that point, that the effec*. on the selling price may be very material. If you are not looking at it from the point of view of the public you have to look at it from the point of view of the trade as a whole. Later Mr Atkinson said: "A woman wears about half of what she wore before the war," and added that consumption of goods might have been reduced in that way. The Committee adjourned.