The work of the Associations has included the standardisation of a certain number of qualities in various fabrics; and, indeed, without such standardisation the fixing of prices in a satisfactory manner is almost an impossibility. In the interests of all concerned, including, it may be confidently asserted, both the carpet dealer and the ultimate consumer, this standardisation, coupled with a reduction in the number of qualities produced, might very well be extended. The trade has been unnecessarily complicated in the past by the existence of qualities differing from each other by a small percentage of value, and puzzling to the buyer. Carpet manufacturers are themselves partly to blame for this multiplication of fabrics, the outcome of an extravagant competition, involving needless expense in production, which fell, of course, ultimately upon the consumer. War conditions have made a clean sweep of many of them: it is to be hoped that they will not recur. The carpet industry was from the first a great sufferer from the state of affairs brought about by the declaration of war. In the early days, cancels and a suspension of orders necessitated a recourse to short time; while later, as a so-called “Luxury Trade,” it did not seem likely to meet with much consideration at the hands of the authorities in respect of protection given to its personnel, or of the provision of adequate raw materials. These difficulties brought carpet manufacturers closer together than before; and committees representing the whole trade were formed for the protection of its interests in the above connections. Ultimately, when the question of the rationing of wool and other raw materials necessary to the industry became paramount, a Committee of the trade was formed, entitled the Carpet Trade Rationing Committee. This Committee was recognised by the War Office, and responsible directly to the Wool Control Board. Since June, 1917, it was occupied with the allocation of wool to spinners, and of worsted and woollen yarns, and subsequently jute, to carpet manufacturers. The distribution, of course, depended upon the amount allotted to the carpet trade by the Wool Control Board, and had to be made with due regard to the needs of carpet manufacturers, their pre-war consumption, their stocks, etc. It was an arduous and invidious task; and the fact that it was carried through with scarcely a complaint, and that, in spite of severe shortage of material at times, no firm was ever obliged to shut down, reflects great credit on all concerned. Labour was represented on this Committee by one member from each branch of the Carpet Trade Unions, in Scotland, the North of England, and Kidderminster.