In May, 1906, a dispute arose in the Charleston (Paisley) branch on the question of the weaving rate for a new fabric, which lasted about four months. In 1907 the Association became affiliated to the General Federation of Trade Unions with a view to strengthening the reserve funds of the Association. In 1907 and 1908, a further effort was made to bring about an affiliation of the English and Scotch Carpet Trade Unions; and on this occasion a constitution was drawn up, but at the last moment, when all seemed shaping well for the formation of a Federation, the matter again dropped. In 1911, after prolonged negotiations with the Tapestry manufacturers, a new scheme for payment for weaving was drawn up on a proportionate basis, which was considered, at least so far as Scotland was concerned, to be a great step towards uniformity of rates. The workers’ interests in the drawing up of this scheme were very capably handled by Messrs. Rough, Robertson, and Howie. After the establishment of this scheme, things went on smoothly until August, 1914, when the outbreak of war put the organisation, in common with many others, into a condition of suspense. The General Secretary was called to the Colours; and a large proportion of the younger members answered the call to arms. Thanks, however, to careful and judicious handling, the Association ultimately overcame all difficulties; and not only was the Association preserved, but that which was almost despaired of, and which was the dream of the pioneers of the movement, was also achieved: namely, the complete organisation of all carpet workers in the Brussels, Wilton, and Tapestry carpet trade of Scotland. By the end of 1918, the membership of the Association, in spite of the great depletion in the ranks of the workers caused by the war, had increased to 1,200. Since 1914 the Executive was successful in obtaining the adoption of a new scheme for payment for tying-in beams, replacing the one which was abolished in 1886, and giving satisfaction to all workers in the Tapestry trade. The progress and development of the Scotch Association during the past few years, and the successful amalgamation with the English Associations, has been largely due to the tact and energy of the President, Mr. Thomas Lindsay, of Paisley. The Kidderminster, Northern Counties, and Scottish Associations were amalgamated in November, 1917, under the title of “The National Affiliation of Carpet Trade Unions.” The objects of the affiliation were the maintenance of uniform rates, the regulation of the supply of hands and hours of work, and generally the regulation of the relations of employers and employed in the trade. The constitution is simple, the control of the Affiliation being vested in the hands of an Affiliation Board, composed of three representatives from each Association. The Board appoints a President, Secretary, and Treasurer, each Association being entitled to one official.