The Express.
London, England, 1862-08-28 00:00:00

COTTON SUPPLY.

A meeting was held at Manchester yestenlay to
receive a deputatioa from London of gentlemen interested
in the formation of the Western Australian Cotton Com-
pany (limited). to explain sod to give information as to its
position and prospects.
Mr. I'. Woo woe called upon to preside, and be said he
did so with great pleasure, because, having taken a part in
endeavouring to procure cotton from Africa sad the Medi-
terranean, and especially from Africa, it had seemed to be
thought he could see no other source of supply. The fact
was, he welcomed any ettempt to get °mho*, tari matter
where. He thought it was tame every one should tate
part in this movement ; and he thought say sea at
who had 5001. to spars, or eves 100(. or 50/., world do coal
to invest it in schenne of this kind ; sod as shares in this
company were only 6/. each, he could well do
that even with morelimited mama. He could not my muck
of his own knowledge of Western Australia, but be weld
my that the cotton grows there which he had sees was the
best cotton be had ever known. (Hear, hear.) He held
some in his Mood, and his impreation was that it was worth
3s. 6d. per lb. He had been engaged actively La promo
the growth of cotton forth. last twelve years, 'ad bad had
to dip his hand deep into his pocket. Still be had hope. that
lie should see his money back spin, and perhaps with awe
interest. He was satisfied that he had helped to lay the
foundation of a lasting trade with the West Comet of
in cotton, having invested jointly with a friend about
7,0001. in the enterprise. He bad also engaged in throe
schemes for procuring cotton from India, beades two others,
and promised to join a cotton procuring compeay. He did
not say this in the way of boast, because he held it a natter
of duty. He thought it nonseme to my that bemuse men
were cotton spinners they should not endeavour to promote
the cultivation of cotton, especay if they did not wish to
see their workpeople depeodest es charity.
Mr. Roan Manua, a member ef the Council of led*
spoke of the deep sympathy d all chases throughout the
country in the preeentsuffettegs of Lancashire, sod described
at carne length the suitability of the soil and climate of
Western Australia for cotton grown*. It had also the ad-
vantage of being sear two pest labour markets—them of
India and China, being only twelve days distant from Cey-
lon by steam, ten from Singapore, and 21 from China. lie
pointed to the great good that had been done in the leaning
Mauritius from poverty by coolie labour, sod said that the
coolies returoing theses to India often had been fount to
have amassed considerable savings. An that Waters
Australia wanted was the fostering help which such core-
papist as this could give, much as the government of lotha
gave help in developing the tea trade in India, hawing them-
selves started its cultivation said afterwards turned oyer
the enterprise to the Assam Tea Company, which was now
a thriving and prosperous undertaking, making a return of
ten per cent.
Mr. woaRALL, the Mayor of Salford, moved that from
the facts laid before the meeting it appeared that West. re
Australia was a British colony eminently suitable to the
growth of cotton.
Mr. W. Mosaic seconded the resolution, and it was oir•
ried unanimously.
Mr. T. G. TAYLOR, of Loudon, moved that the Westers
Australian Cotton Company was worthy of Om support of
the meeting.
Mr. Conacillor Runner seconded the reeoltitiou, which
was carried.
This concluded the business.
Some working men were proemial, end two of them briefly
addressed the meeting, under the ides that a cheaper acid
inferior cotton was meetly wanted ; but the Chairman en-
planed tint while such cotton se could be grown is I oda
and elsewhere was neomeary as the bulk of supply, emir.
thelese there was much need for the kind now exhibited
to the meeting. He also pointed out that it was to the
interest of the working men, because while for every thou.
sand pouods weight of =Moe spun 2IS individuals were em-
ployed, the same weight of India cotton would ooly give
employment to five end a quarter.
The meeting passed off wells