Councillors Want New Industries
Boot Leaders Said To Be ‘Short Sighted’

  Labour problems in the boot trade were discussed with candour at Wednesday’s meeting of Rushden Urban Council, when members who want new industries in the town said that the boot factories could hold their own if they were made more attractive.

  Following his attempted enquiry at the last meeting, Coun. A. H. Bailey sent in a letter asking for enquiries to be made as to whether industries brought into the town during the war are likely to remain.  The Clerk ascertained that two firms were concerned, but there was no definite information as to whether they would remain in the town.

  The Finance Committee discussed the matter “with particular reference to the serious effect which the introduction into the town of new post-war industries employing predominantly female labour would have on the labour conditions of the staple trade.”  They recommended that the Board of Trade and other Government departments be informed that the Council would welcome “new industries of such a character that they will fit in with local labour conditions.”

  When the report came forward Mr. Bailey said he hoped they would not be content with the formal passing of this resolution.  He spoke from bitter experience because after the last war he returned from service to six months of unemployment in Rushden.  Some of the men returning this time would be unfit to go into the boot factories.

Employment Problem

  The boot manufacturers were faced with a shortage of female labour, and the Council would not wish to place any obstruction in their way.  A responsible leader had said that unless the female labour position improved there would be less employment for males.

  “I know all the problems,” said Mr. Bailey, “and I don’t know all the answers, but during the last five years and eight months our men have faced far greater difficulties and overcome them.”

  It was reasonable to expect assistance from private enterprise.  The General Purposes Committee of the Council should survey fully the whole of the town’s resources, including premises and man-power, and the records should then be kept up-to-date.  The Council should ask the Government what developments they had in mind regarding aerodromes.

  Mr. Bailey added: “I for one am getting tired of the ‘sub’ complex in Rushden, and I hope we shall do everything we can to get away from it.”

  The Chairman (Coun. Waring) said the committee spent much time on the question.  The problem of the balance of labour would be national and not local.  They could use persuasion, but, short of coercion, which he was sure would not be tolerated, the committee had gone as far as it could.

  Coun. F. Green said he could not see why they should not do their very best to take up some of these suggestions.

Factories Criticised

  Coun. J. Roe said there was a shortage of labour at the present time, but it was not always likely to continue.  He had heard manufacturers say that if there was a shortage of labour some of the trade would go elsewhere, but he thought that was short-sighted.  They must have other industries for the good of the town.

  It might be true that the two war factories in the town had had a lot of female labour, but he did not know they had done much damage in the town.

  Boot manufacturers must not look at the problem from a narrow point of view.  The tradesmen might as well say they would not have multiple shops in the town.  Instead they welcomed them and spent money on competing with them.  If some of the wealthy manufacturers spent their money modernising their factories and making conditions ideal, perhaps they would get the female labour.

  Coun. W. E. Capon said he thought they were getting wide of the mark.  It was no use discussing the staple trade when its representatives were not present.

  Coun. E. A. sugars had no doubt that the staple trade had not been attractive.  He said it would benefit the boot and shoe industry in the long run if there were other industries bringing additional families into the town.

“Slandered”

  After suggesting that the Boot Manufacturers’ Association was being slandered, Coun. T. W. Cox said that many young girls in the boot trade were directed into the munition factories.  The manufacturers certainly hoped that many would of their own free will return to the boot trade.

  It had been suggested that the boot manufacturers were opposing new industries.  He did not think so at all, for arrangements were being made to teach men to do sitting-down jobs.  The manufacturers would face their difficulty and get over it.

  Mrs. Muxlow spoke for the women of Rushden, declaring they would welcome heartily any new industries and give of their best in peace as they had done in war.

  The committee’s report was then carried.

Victory Thoughts

  Opening the meeting with a reference to the victory in Europe, the Chairman said they met in 1939 and 1940 when it looked quite possible that their places might soon be taken by jack-booted gauleiters.  Their town was smitten by enemy bombs.

  Now they met with the terrible nightmare ended and they must settle down to tasks infinitely more complex than they were before the war.  The Council would put forth its utmost endeavours to serve the townsfolk -  both those resident in Rushden now, and those to whose return they looked forward with eagerness and pleasure.

  Coun. Sawford suggested that a letter of welcome should be sent to the returning prisoners of war, and the Council agreed heartily.

  In regard to permanent housing the Housing Committee has informed the Ministry of Health that it hopes to be in a position in September to seek consent to obtain tenders for the erection of 140 houses on the Higham-road site.

  The month’s building list showed that a Nissen hut will be erected off Avenue-road, Court Estate, as a church hall in connection with St. Mary’s, Rushden.

  Street lighting on the temporary housing estate is to be by gas.

Hall Damage

  An earlier report of wilful damage to fencing at the Hall Grounds was confirmed by the Parks Committee.  Windows have been broken too, and the committee threatens prosecutions.

  It was also found that “gates or other means of access” had been provided into the grounds from several houses in Hall-avenue.  These will be stopped up, occupiers warned, and legal action taken in the event of further cases occurring.

  In her annual report the Librarian (Miss M. Perkins) showed that 129,378 volumes were issued comparing with 123,509 in the previous year.  These included:  Adult non-fiction 21,526, juvenile non-fiction 7,698, adult fiction 82,117, juvenile fiction 18,037.  There were 4,878 adult and 1,169 juvenile members.  During the year 1,129 books were purchased, 191 presented and 462 withdrawn, the stock at March 31^st comprising 10,733 volumes.

  Coun. A. Allebone pointed out that on an average each book was issued 13 times a year.  If the increase of borrowing continued, more money would have to be spent on new books.

  Coun. Capon referred to the demobilisation of Civil Defence workers and said that public recognition would be made as soon as a day suitable for the purpose could be found.

  Gardens and allotments on the Council housing estates were stated to be “almost 100 per cent. under cultivation.”

  Steps for the early derequisitioning of the Hall by the military authorities were mentioned by the Parks and Baths Committee.

  The rule requiring dogs to be kept on leads while in the Hall Grounds is to be enforced more rigidly.

A Bad Road

  Mrs. Muxlow referred to the “terrible” condition of Avenue-road, Court Estate, and was told that the Highways Committee, which had set £500 aside for future work there, would bear the complaint in mind.

  The Medical Officer reported 10 births and 17 deaths.  Infectious disease cases were: Scarlet fever 8, pneumonia 7, erysipelas 1, measles 162, whooping cough 1.

  In reply to a letter from the Northants County Committee, British Legion, the Finance Committee promised sympathetic consideration of the request that wartime vacancies should not be filled on a basis of permanence if ex-Service men were not available.

  Formerly ranked as chief technical assistant to the Surveyor, Mr. H. F. W. Adams was now appointed as Deputy Engineer and Surveyor.

  Four books containing records of the local Belgian Refugee Fund during the last war were received from Mr. W. L. Sargent, of Petts Wood, London.

  The Clerk reported that air raid shelters which obstruct traffic, and also the one on the temporary housing site in Park-road, may be demolished as labour becomes available.  Other shelters may have to wait.  Morrison shelters supplied free to residents will be collected “at the appropriate time” unless purchased by the present users at £1 10s. each.

  With the exception of Dr. Davies (away from town) all the members were present.