The publication of the Whitley Report brought general recognition that effective co-operation of employers and employed was a necessity for the future prosperity of the carpet industry, no less than for other trades, and that this could best be brought about by an organisation as fully representative of the employers as the Affiliation of Carpet Trade Unions was of the employees. At the beginning of 1918 a scheme was put forward by the late Sir Charles Bine Renshaw for the formation of a British Carpet Manufacturers’ Association for the whole trade, composed of delegates from three District Associations, representing the Scottish, North of England, and Kidderminster Area Carpet Manufacturers respectively. The object of these Associations was the protection of the general interests of the trade, and in particular the settlement of questions of wages and employment in co-operation with accredited representatives of Carpet Trade Unions. The Scottish Manufacturers were the first to form their District Association, but were followed in due course by those of the other two areas. The Trade Unions of the carpet industry were naturally local in origin. The Midland branch was founded in 1866, under the title “The Kidderminster and Stourport United Brussels Power Loom Carpet Weavers’ Friendly Society.” In 1868, the name was altered to “The Power Loom Carpet Weavers’ Mutual Defence and Provident Association,” though generally spoken of as the Carpet Weavers’ Association; and this title held good until 1917, when the textile workers, both male and female, were admitted to membership, and the name was finally altered to “The Power Loom Carpet Weavers’ and Textile Workers’ Association.” The original headquarters of the Society was the Vine Inn, Horsefair; but in 1870 a room was rented from the Workmen’s Club, at 28 Church Street, where the business was carried on up to 1887. In this year the Association was transferred to 105 Mill Street, where it has remained until its recent move next door, to No. 106. Although the original _raison d’être_ of the organisation was that of a Trade Defence Association, it very soon took up what is known as Friendly Society work; for as early as 1867 accident and funeral benefits were being paid; sick pay was commenced in 1868; and in 1877 it was decided to use funds for superannuation claims. It is interesting to record that at the beginning of 1919 there were 52 members on the superannuation list, including some of the men who helped to found the Association, such as Noah Cooke (85), Thomas Thatcher (95), B. Barber, and several others now well advanced in years. The Association has gradually extended the scope of its benefits to members until we find that, for the year ending December, 1917, out of an income of £1,717 0s. 8d. no less than £1,391 19s. 10d. was disbursed in Friendly Society benefits, subscriptions, and donations.