The Cotton Factory Times. — 1903-05-22 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

ANNUAL MEETING OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE DRIVING QUESTION.  The annual meeting of the Northern Counties Weavers' Amalgamation was held in the Leverstreet School, Manchester, on Saturday afternoon, 91 delegates being present. Mr. David Holmes, J.P., was in the chair, whilst the vice-chair was occupied by Mr. D. J. Shackleton, M.P. Mr. W. H. Wilkinson, the secretary, presented his annual report, in which he stated that the number of payable members was 82,597, an increase over last year of 330. There was a balance gain in cash daring the year of £9,728 15s. 11d., which amount further increases the worth and position of the asaociation. The disputes which the Central Committee and the officials had had to deal with had been numerous, and had arisen chiefly in respect to underpaying and bad material. complaints in regard to the latter appear to be growing with each succeeding year, with no prospect of any material improvement until a better class of cotton is purchased. The Amalgamation were glad the British Cotton Growing Association, lately formed at Manchester, was being taken up with spirit. They were hoping that something definite would shortly be done in regard to the full carrying out of the Cotton Cloth Factories Aet ; until that was done they must give no peace to those in authority. The recent decision of the Taff Vale Railway case should be the means of bringing the working cla.sses of the country to one way of thinking. All should be agreed that if the employers' funds were to be inviolate, the workmen's resources should have the same immunity. "Let us in future," continues the report, "have more self-reliance, more confidenoe in our own class. By following this the time cannot he far distant when a fair number of working men will be returned to Parliament." The question of what was known as "driving" in weaving sheds had again been brought forward, but in the opinion of the amalgamation the system would never be totally abolished until the overlookers were paid other than by poundage on the earnings of the weavers. They thought the time had arrived when the overlookers might with the weavers use their combined influence in trying to bring about some change in the direction maintained. The prices to be paid for weaving coloured leno cloths were at last settled, and an arrangement had been come to for jacquard cloths woven from two and three beams, and also for cloth with one or more coloured ends at each side. The cotton industry for some weeks had been in a disappointing condition, the result being that roi.ny looms had been allowed to stop for warps. N, doubt the high price of cotton, together with the good demand for cloth from China, Calcutta, and Bombay, had been the principal causes. They were pleased to know that appearances point to a good trade being short7y done with the countri-is named.  The report of the auditors, Messrs. Waterhouse and Buckley, was accepted as satisfactory, whilst reports were presented of disputes at Black°, Comm', Chorley, and Denton. Messrs. Holmes (Burnley), Cross (Blackburn), Ward (Nelson), Park (Preston), and Melling (Bolton) were elected on the Central Committee. Mr. Holmes was reelected president, and Mr. Shackleton vice-president.  Mr. Wilkinson, the secretary, gave a full and detailed report of the joint meeting that had recently taken place regarding the driving question. The meeting had been called in regard to a case of attempted suicide by an Accrington member. A lengthy discussion took place, several of the delegates being of opinion that some further action should be taken. It was resolved "that this meeting is of opinion that the case mentioned is one of driving," and also that the question be left in the hands of the Central Committee, to take what action they may deem neoes• It was decided to make a grant of £lO per week to the quarrymen locked out at Bethesda. . .