Employers and employed in the cotton trade adjusted their differences
amicably on Friday, June 24th. It was agreed that wages should be reduced at once by 3s. 10d. in the pound, and after six months by a further sevenpence in the pound. The operatives, who are well organized and well led by honest and moderate men, saw that wages must be reduced if the industry was to regain its foreign markets. They did not expect the employers to work for nothing, nor did they ask for a State subsidy. Both sides are hard bargainers, but after a short stoppage, not unwelcome either to mill-owners who were losing money, or to operatives who were on short time and wanted a holiday, they came to a friendly agreement, On Monday the woollen trade unions in the West Riding made u similar agree- ment with the employers. They had taken a ballot in which a great majority of the operatives voted for the terms proposed. Wages are to be reduced by 13s. 6d. a week for men and 9s. 3d. a week for women. The textile trades are thus at peace and can now hope to regain their foreign orders. It would be well if other indusIries could adopt the methods of the Lancashire and Yorkshire textile unions.
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