Among the matters of interest concerning the straw trade which came before a well-attended meeting of the Luton Chamber of Commerce on Friday evening was a communication received from a Belgian engineer in which he stated that he could supply a machine for the manufacture of tagals, braid etc of the same kind as is now received from Japan and Switzerland. The machine was automatic in its action so that it could produce material much cheaper than supplied from Japan.

The President (Mr F. W. Plummer) said he had seen the engineer and had been through his plans and samples and been furnished with other information. In his opinion the man was a clever engineer but he had no capital and was at present in the employ of the Government. The question was whether any of the members were at this time prepared to invest money in the starting of an industry for the manufacture of tagal plait.

He Harry Inwards observed that the Chamber could do nothing as a body in the matter, with the exception of advertising the possibilities of the Belgian's machine, but if any member liked it, it was open to him to take the matter up on his own responsibility.

The Secretary reported at length in regard to a prohibition of imports affecting wool and cotton which was considered to have a serious effect on the local industry. Mr Keens pointed out that there were many things which came within one or other of those categories.

With respect to cotton braid he had made enquiries with a view to advising local manufacturers as to whether they should take any steps to prevent foreign manufacturers from going on working on the completion of orders which would not be received in England until the season had gone, and perhaps not until the end of the war.

The first point to be considered was whether or not cotton braid came under the prohibition at all, and secondly whether felt hats came under the same prohibition.

A further point which arose was as to what was to be done with regard to the orders that had already been placed. The Restriction of Imports Committee had had the position put before them, but having in view the seriousness of the matter so far as it affected Luton he and a member of the trade saw several leading men in London who were at the Associated Chambers meeting to ascertain how Leeds and Bradford were affected with regard to the prohibition.

As a result the Associated Chambers drew up a memorandum on behalf of the trade of the country in which relaxation of the prohibition in several cases was asked for.

[The Luton Reporter: Monday, April 17th, 1916]