During the spring and early summer of 1919 negotiations had been proceeding between the Employers, the Trade Unions’ representatives, and the Ministry of Labour for the formation of a Joint Industrial Council for the Carpet Trade; and the inaugural meeting of this body was held under the auspices of Mr. John Hodge, M.P., on 18th July. It was composed as follows— EMPLOYERS’ SIDE Kidderminster and District Manufacturers’ Association 5 Northern Counties’ Manufacturers’ Association 5 Scottish Manufacturers’ Association 4 — 14 EMPLOYEES’ SIDE National Affiliation of Carpet Trade Unions 10 General Union of Textile Workers 2 The Amalgamated Society of Gas, Municipal, and General Workers 1 Workers’ Union 1 — 14 Mr. Herbert Smith, of Kidderminster (Employers), was elected Chairman, and Mr. Thomas Lindsay, of Paisley (Employees), Vice-Chairman. CHAPTER XIV CONCLUSION IT may be of interest to consider briefly the prospects of the industry.