COTTON TRADE EXPANSION.

[TO THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR...9

Sin,-I am not disposed to take "lying down" the statement of "The Tariff Commission" that the cotton industry as a whole is practically stationary. This is said at a time of extraordinary expansion in our staple trade. There has been nothing like it experienced by the oldest Lancashire spinner. What are the facts of the case P And in order to give chapter and verse, I beg space for the following table of forty-six new mills that are at the present time in course of erection, or have been got ready for work during the past few months or so :- NAME OF MILL.

SPINDLES. NAYS OF MILL. SPINDLES.

Cairo

80,000

Brought forward ... 2,105,000

Cromer

6%900

Bell 120,000

Glen

80,000

Clover 100,000 Harwood 70,000 Durban 100,000 Irwell Bank 80,000 Tulketh 100,000 Majestic 85,000 Grape 100,000 Maple 70,000 Acme 90,000 Soudan 85,000 Dale 80,000 Victor 60,000 Hyde 100,000 Asia 80,000 Fir 100,000 Bay Tree 90,000 Times 40,000 Cedar 100,000 Fernhurst 80,000 Cliff 80,000 Roy 100,000 Malta 80,000 Cowling 100,000 Marland 80,000 Croft 100,000 Ocean 100,000

Valley

50,000 Rex 80,000 Eccles 50,000 Laburnum 125,000 Mouton 80,000 Dove 100,000 Alder 100,000 Lily 100,000 Togo 100,000 Laurel 90,000 Goyt 100,000 Broadstone 120,000 Tame 110,000 Mona 100,000

4,005,000 Coppull 50,000 Total Pack 60,000

The cost of these factories (four million spindles) will be close upon five millions sterling, and they will find employment for about ten thousand fresh workpeople. This, then, is cotton that is stationary or going. I leave the figures to speak for themselves, adding for outsiders that the new spindlege this year is not far off ten per cent. of an increase.-I am, Sir, &c.,

Streit Street, Manchester.

WILLIAM TATTERSALL.