The Cotton Factory Times. — 1907-08-30 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

BOUNTIES' BILL.  A Bounties' Bill, which includes a bonus of lid. per lb. on export of tops manufactured in Australia, has been introduced into the Federal Parliament. It is proposed that such bonus be paid for the first three years, and thereafter at the rate of id. per lb. The object of the bonus is to establish topmaking in Australia, with the ultimate view to mom widely extending woollen manufacture. Accompanying the Bill was a report of exports, who were of the opinion that the labour conditions were not sufficiently favourable to establish the industry without Government assistance for a certain period. . . . .  It seems, says an Australian paper, that inquiries were made by British and Continental topmakers, who contemplated opening combing mills in Australia. and that was the conclusion they came to. They. were of the opinion that the topmaking industry' could be established by means of a bonus for a term of five years, during which the initial difficulties should be overcome. There were several factors favourable to ultimate success, among which were-(1) the climate and the quality of the water; (2) saving is freight; (3) the favourable position to secure Eastern markets; (4) the local trade in manufacturing cloth that might be developed as a result of the establishment of large topmaking works, from which spinners and weavers could draw supplies more economically than by manufacturing tho raw material themselves.  If the proposed bonus on tops becomes law there is great probability that combing works for the manufacture of tops will be established in Sydney without undue delay. Indeed matters have progressed so far that tenders have been obtained for the necessary machinery, and a oontract ready for placing forthwith. Not only would tops be manufactured for export or local sale, but it is highly probable that if up-to-dpite works were established many foreign. buyers would avail themselves of such means for the purpose of testing the yield and quality of the wools purchased during the sca.son. This would in a great measure remove the uncertainty of estimating yields. The uncertainty as to yield and quality is a very great one with buyers, and to overcome it would be a boon to many. Instead of purchasing thousands of bales, and having toswait several months for the result, tests could be taken as frequently on the spot as required. Thus the buyer's judgment could be tested from time to time, and fewer risks taken. Any such system should therefore work out very beneficially all round.  The Weather Again.—Jim--, I say, Joe*, where do you think of going for your holidays?" Joo (after a panse)—.. Well—er, th. weather being so wet, I hardly know whether to go to the seaside or to the canal side to commit suicide. The Scottish Coal Conciliation Board sat at Glasgow on Friday several hours, and agreed that, though the employers maintained that the realised prices for coal did not warrant it, the full advance of twelve and a half per cent. should be granted, conditionally that no other application for increased wages would be made for two months. A sub-'. mittee could consider in the meantime, and advise as to the terms of a new wages agreement The advance, which takes effect from the 21st of August. affects eighty thousand Scottish mi.nors.