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

CO7TON SUPPLY.

A meeting was held at Manchester, yesterday, to receive
a deputation from London of gentlemen interested in the
formation of the Western Australian Cotton Company
(Limited), to explain and to give information as to its posi-
tion and prospects.

Mr. T. CLEGG was called on to preside, and said he did so
with great pleasure because, having taken a part in endea-
vouring to procure cotton from Africa and the Mediterra-
nean, and especially from Afi ice, it had seemed to be thought
he could see no other source of supply. The fact was he
welcomed any attempt to get cotton, no matter where. He
thought it was time every one should take part in the
movement, and he thought any man of property who had
£5OO to spare—or even £lOO or £so—would do well to in-
vest it in schemes of this kind, and as shares in this com-
pany were only £5 each he could well do that, even with
more limited means. He could not say much, of his own
knowledge, of Western Australia, but he would say that
the cotton grown there, which he had seen, was the best
cotton he had ever known (Hear, hear.) He held some
in his hand, and his impression was that it was worth
3s. 6d. per lb. He had been engaged actively in promoting
the growth of cotton for the last 12 years, and had had to
dip his hand deep into his pocket. Still he had hopes that
he should see his money back again, and perhaps with some
interest. He was satisfied that he had helped to lay the
foundation of a lasting cotton trade with the West Coast of
Africa, having invested jointly with a friend about £7,000
in the enterprise. He had, besides, engaged in three schemes
for procuring cotton from India, besides two others, and
promised to join a cotton-procuring company. He did not
say this in the way of boast, because he held it a matter of
duty. lie thought it nonsense to say that, because men
were cotton-spinners, they should not endeavour to promote
the cultivation of cotton, especially if they did not wish to
see their workpeople dependent upon charity.
Mr. Ross MANGLES, a member of the Council of India,
spoke of the deep sympathy of all class a throughout the
country with the present sufferings of Lancashire, and de-
scribed at some length the suitability of the soil and climate
of Western Australia for cotton-growing. It had also the
advantage of being near two great labour markets—those
of India and China ; it being only 12 days distant from
Ceylon by steam, 10 from Singapore, and 21 from China.
He pointed to the great good that had been done in rescu-
ing the Mauritius from poverty by coolie labour, and said
that the coolies returning thence to India often had been
found to have amassed considerable savings. All that Wes"
tern Australia wanted was the fostering help which
such
was
companies as this could give, much as the Government of
India gave help in developing the tea trade of India, having
themselves started its cultivation, and afterwards turned
over the enterprise to the Assam Tea whichCompany"'
now a thriving and prosperous undertaking, making a re-
turn of 10 per cent.
Mr. WOREALL, the Mayor of Salford, moved "That
from the facts laid before the meeting it appeared that Wes-
tern Australia was a British colony eminently suitable to
the growth of cotton."
Mr. W. Morthis seconded the resolution, and it was
was Worthy of the sup-
carried unanimously.
Mr. T. G. TAILOR, of London, moved " That the Wes-
Mr. Councillor RUMNEY seconded the resolution, which
was carried.
tpeorrnt
oAfutshtertiaenetiCnogt.t(?n
,Company
This concluded the business.
Some working men were present, and two of them briefly
addres, ed the meeting, under the idea that a cheaper and
inferior cotton we, mostly Wanted, but
The CHAIRMAN
kind
noswupepxlhyi,binteev explained that while such cotton an
could be grown in India and elsewhere was necessary as the
bulkin of
that it Was to derttohetlheessmteheetriengw.asHmounel
men,
forhsonpeendinted
outthe
the interest of the working because,
while for every 1,000 lb. weight of this cotton spun 215 in-
dividuals were employed, the same weight of India cotton
would only
give employment to 51.
The meeting passed off well.

GLASGOW AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.--*
The directors of this company recommend the shareholders
to declare a dividend on the ordinary stock of the company,
at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, for the half•y'ear end-
ing the 31st 'July, leaving a balance of £143.