Combination among manufacturers in the hat trade, which has been very difficult to secure in the past, is now developing rapidly, and from sectional reports presented to the Council of the Luton Chamber of Commerce at Monday's meeting it appears that the difficulties created by the war are playing a very important part in bringing firms not previously associated with the Chamber to see the value of united action.

President Mr H. Inward said the war seemed to have done some good in bringing manufacturers together. A new section for manufacturers of men's hats was in formation for they found that owing to war difficulties some form of concerted action was necessary. When this section was organised practically every trade in the town would have its section in full working order, and this must be beneficial.

Mr T. Keens mentioned that since the outbreak of the war 28 meetings had been held, bleachers and dyers heading the list with 14. Some had lasted from 6 pm to 10 pm or from 9.30 am to 1 pm, and this showed that a considerable amount of time had been given and something practical attempted - and something very practical had been done.

Reports from the various sections were presented.

ENGINEERS

Engineering firms were reports to have come unanimously into line with regard to the treatment of men called to the colours and the allowances to be made to wives and families. Mr Keens said they ought to have the credit of leading public opinion throughout the area on this matter.

THE PLAIT TRADE

Plait merchants have been mainly concerned with serious questions arising out of the conduct of their industry during war time and in connection with trading with the enemy. Several important points are still under consideration, and a full report is deferred until everything is perfectly clear.

MANUFACTURERS' MATERIALS

This section has utilised the time when trade is slack to begin a movement for earlier closing, but earlier closing is not intended to be their only proposal. It had, however, received unanimous support through the trade, and was regarded as a very excellent basis if the exigencies of the situation should require some reduction of wages. The trade was reported to be generally agreed, however, that at present it was desirable there should be no discharges or reductions in wages, but if reductions were to be made later they should be pro rata with the shortened hours. It was considered that at present firms were only bearing expenses which they would have to bear in the usual dull time, and that when the matter was reviewed again about the middle of the month it would be possible to see whether the true cause of slackness was war, fashions or otherwise. Mr Keens said the members of this section ought to be credited with the virtue of taking a very public-spirited view of the matter.

BLEACHERS AND DYERS

The bleachers and dyers section were reported to have gone much further than any other sections, and to have entered into a legal agreement, back by the securities, for the due carrying out of their decisions. It was the first time this had ever been attempted in Luton, and should be the beginning of a co-operative effort to eliminate cut-throat competition. It had elements of permanence about it, and the Committee were perpetually sitting to deal with difficulties which were bound to arise in the early stages. The legal documents drawn up by Messrs Neve, Beck and Co had been signed by all the firms, and all have given security.

It was stated at the meeting that this agreement was to some extent a necessity, and was not by any means formulated as a means of raising prices. As bleaching chemicals and dyes had gone up by 100 per cent and in some cases even 300 per cent, an increase was compulsory and was therefore not a matter to which anyone in the trade should take the least umbrage or objection. Mr Inwards thought that if it helped to something approaching a standardisation of prices it would be to the advantage of the manufacturer. Other members expressed the opinion that it was a step in the right direction.

BOATER MANUFACTURERS

Mr Keens said he was requested by some of the larger manufacturers to convene a meeting of all the firms in the boater trade, and the invitation was subsequently extended to St Albans firms. The meeting was held on Friday night, and taxed the capacity of the meeting to the utmost. All Luton firms except three were represented, and most of the St Albans houses. The outcome was a decision to appoint a joint committee, and the Luton representatives were appointed at once, while the St Albans manufacturers were to meet in the Mayor's Parlour at St Albans on Wednesday to elect their representatives. The remarkable thing about the Luton meeting was the size of the attendance and the absolute unanimity of the meeting.

In reply to a question, Mr Keens said the object of the committee would be to straighten out some of the irregularities of the trade, of which there were plenty.

The President said that if any combination was possible in the staple trade it was in the direction of the men's hat manufacturers because, unlike the ladies' trade, their goods ran on very small numbers of plaits, and if they had grievances they could more easily combine.

SUPPLY OF CHEMICALS

A précis of evidence to be given before the Royal Commission on the supply of bleaching chemicals and dyestuffs has been prepared, and Mr Ernest Lye is to attend before the Commission for examination.

GERMAN MADE GOODS

Samples of materials previously obtained from Germany have been supplied to the sample room set up by the Commercial Intelligence Department of the Board of Trade, where they will be available for inspection by British manufacturers who wish to take up their manufacture. A full range of samples in one branch of the trade was collected by Mr T. G. Hobbs, and in another branch of trade by Mr Clay. A list of the chemicals and dyestuffs dealt with in the précis of Mr Lye's evidence is also to be sent.

A NEW INDUSTRY?

It was mentioned by Mr Keens that he had received a letter saying that one municipality which offered free sites for factories wishing to capture German trade had 50 applicants. He had also received a letter from Luton Suburban Estates Ltd stating that they were willing to consider that policy on their Maiden Common Farm and other estates.

The New Industries Committee were reported to have met to consider the possibility of capturing for Luton an industry previously carried on in Germany, and to have adjourned the matter for a month.

Meanwhile, Mr H. Cowley, arising out of suggestions made at the last meeting of the Chamber, had written to the Board of Trade for information as to trades which would be suitable to conditions obtaining in Luton, and stating that the best industry would be one which would employ female labour principally in the autumn and which would be able to utilise straw hat sewing machines either as they were or adapted.

[Luton News, October 8th, 1914]