Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Oct 1929

Vol. 32 No. 2

Question on the Adjournment. - Donegal Homespun Industry.

Mr. Cassidy

Yesterday I asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries the following question:—

(a) Whether he is aware that the reorganisation of the home-spun industry in Co. Donegal is being seriously retarded by the prolonged and unnecessary delay on, the part of his Department in supplying a stamp; and (b) what decision has been reached in regard to supplying breaking and carding machines and dyeing baths to the Ardara district.

I received the following answer:—

I am not aware that the reorganisation of the home-spun industry is being retarded for the reason stated at (a). The mark of guarantee to which it is assumed the reference is made is applied by means of transfers, and any person desiring to have pieces of cloth so marked should apply to the Mart at Ardara or to my Department. The decision already taken that financial assistance cannot be given for the setting up of breaking and carding machines and dyeing baths at Ardara has not been altered. Great difficulty is being experienced by the Department in finding spinners in that area and it would appear highly unlikely that home-spun in sufficient quantities to justify the installation of the plant suggested can be made in the district for some considerable time to come.

Further, he stated: "The test as to whether or not the industry is being retarded for want of a stamp is the fact that we have had no application for it." Again, in reply to a supplementary question by me, he said: "I have already informed you that there have been no applications for the stamp, either to the Mart or to the Department by persons desirous of having cloths stamped." The Minister, by the replies he gave to me, endeavoured to lead the House to believe that no request had been put forward for a stamp. I may point out to the Minister that Deputy Law, on 17th October, 1928, put a question to him regarding the provision of a stamp at that particular time. The Minister, in reply, promised that the stamp would be provided. Before Christmas an inspector and an official from the Minister's Department gave the people in Ardara during the time they were there a specific promise that the stamp would be provided. So much for the Minister's contention that no request had been made for a stamp. Again, on 12th June of this year I find that a further question was put to the Minister as to "whether it has been decided to supply a stamp, to furnish carding and breaking machines, and facilities for dyeing the wool." The Minister was not in the House on that occasion, and the answer was given by Deputy Roddy, the Parliamentary Secretary, in which he stated: "It is proposed that there should be an official mark of quality and character to be applied under adequate safeguards."

So much for the Minister's contention that no request had been made for a stamp to be supplied. I would like to draw the attention of the Minister to what the Congested Districts Board did in regard to the industry in this respect. In the year 1893 the Irish Industries Association suggested that the Congested Districts Board should unite with them in an effort to improve the manufacture of hand-spun tweeds in the Ardara district. The improvements scheme provided for the establishment of a store for rolls of tweed; the inspection at monthly fair in Ardara of all the rolls submitted for examination; the stamping or branding of all rolls of thoroughly good manufacture; and the payment of a bonus of 1½d. per yard to the owner and a ½d. per yard to the weaver. Sufficient precautions were devised to guard against improper claims. As a result, both the quality and price of the tweeds improved greatly. Again, I would like to point out to the Minister that the Gaeltacht Commission set up with regard to improving the economic conditions in the Gaeltacht and assisting the language, recommended:

The homespun industry, that is, the weaving of homespun yarns in the homes of the people, is, in the opinion of the Commission, capable of being made a very valuable industry in many parts of the Gaeltacht. All the local circumstances point to this. The industry has been brought to its present unsatisfactory position largely by lack of supervision and by failure to keep abreast of modern requirements. The Commission is of opinion that the industry can and should be reestablished by the State.

And further it states: "Arrangements should be made at such centres as Carrick and Ardara in County Donegal and at some suitable centre or centres in County Galway, for the stamping of approved cloth." I would also direct the attention of the Minister to an article which appeared in the official publication, as I understand, of the Cumann na nGaedheal Party in a paper called "The Star" (although it does not shine very brightly). About the month of May an article appeared in that paper which was written by a Deputy of this House, and with which I am in agreement. It stated: "First and foremost, it is generally agreed that it is necessary (a) to revive the practice of examining the webs of cloth and affixing to such as are up to standard a Government mark as a guarantee of quality."

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

took the Chair.

Mr. Law

Was that a signed article?

Mr. Cassidy

Yes, I understand that it was by Deputy Law. As I have mentioned, I am in favour of most of the recommendations in that article. When it appeared in the "Star" one would come to the conclusion that the Government would adopt the recommendations, unless it is meant as mere propaganda or political eye-wash. The Minister in the course of his remarks to me said: "The mark of guarantee to which it is assumed the reference is made is applied by means of transfers, and any person desiring to have pieces of cloth so marked should apply to the Mart at Ardara or to my Department." I submit that the stamp of itself will not improve the industry. If the stamp is to be effective as it should be as a brand as to quality, publicity should be given to that through the Press generally throughout Ireland, and if possible a photograph of the stamp should be given in the Press across-Channel and in America. We have a number of Trade Commissioners in several countries for which the taxpayers are paying heavily. They should also give publicity to this stamp which would be a brand of quality. There is no use in having a stamp if it is going to be kept in a backroom in Kildare Street. The weavers and spinners of Ardara would know nothing about a stamp kept in that way. I submit that there should not be merely one but two distinctive stamps. There should be a stamp for the genuine hand-spun material which contains, only wool that has been spun in the homes or cottages of the people; and another for yarn that has been spun in the mills.

This is not being done. As I have said, it is no good for the Minister to say that the stamp is there. Publicity has not been given to the fact. Publicity should be given to the fact so that people in the commercial and business arena in this and foreign countries will be able to see and recognise the genuine hand-spun or mill-spun article when they see it, and so that they will know that it is not Galashiels or other shoddy. The value of the stamp lies in the publicity given, to the fact that the article is a genuine homespun. So much for the Minister's contention that he was not asked to supply a stamp. The fact that the question has been raised here on a number of occasions, the promise that was given in Ardara, and the article that appeared in the official or semi-official organ of Cumann na nGaedheal, should belie the statement which the Minister made to the effect that no request has been made for a stamp.

In regard to the second portion of my question as to what decision has been reached in regard to supplying breaking and carding machines and dyeing baths to the Ardara district —although I mentioned Ardara I would like to see the industry developed all over Donegal, including the Dunlewy area—the Minister said that the decision already taken that financial assistance could not be given for the installation of carding and breaking plant and dyeing baths at Ardara has not been altered. That was the first time that we heard of that decision. "Great difficulty," the Minister says, "is being experienced by the Department in finding spinners in Ardara area and it would appear highly unlikely that homespun in sufficient quantities to justify the installation of the plant suggested can be made in the district for some considerable time to come." In the course of a number of supplementary questions put by me in regard to that portion of my question, I stated that in a letter to a Deputy, written in April, 1929——

Mr. Lynch

I understood you to say 1926 there.

Mr. Cassidy

No. I said that in a letter to a Deputy written in April, 1929, the Minister stated that the question of the provision at Ardara of carding and breaking plant has not been lost sight of. Months ago, as I pointed out, he stated that the project had not been lost sight of, but in his reply to me yesterday he said that in connection with that matter I went back very far. I have only gone back six months. It was then under consideration and it is now well over twelve months. The Minister stated also that it was well over twelve months since he stated that he was not prepared to recommend the installation of carding and dyeing plant. Six months ago the Minister stated in a letter to a Deputy that he was prepared to give the matter consideration, but yesterday he stated that over a year ago he had already decided that he would not recommend the installation of the plant. I would point out to the Minister that before Christmas, in addition to the promise given to provide the stamp for the homespun industry, it was also promised that plant would be supplied to Ardara.

The writer of the article in "The Star" also advised that carders and breakers should be supplied to various districts in Donegal. The Gaeltacht Commission Report also recommended that loans should be given to set up the necessary machinery, namely, the carding, breaking, and dyeing plant, if the industry was to be improved. I would further point out to the Minister that when I addressed him yesterday he made a definite statement to me in which he said: "I should like to inform the Deputy that the Instructor of the Department, after searching the highways and the by-ways, could only find six spinners in the neighbourhood of Ardara." The Minister neither amplified nor clarified that statement. I stated that there were hundreds of spinners in the area and in order to confirm what I stated yesterday, I despatched the following telegram to Ardara at 2.30 p.m. to-day: "Department allege only six spinners can be found in neighbourhood Ardara. Wire me immediately and give approximate number of spinners in Ardara area." The reply, which was handed in at 4.50 p.m. in Ardara to-day, states: "Not less than fifty spinners actually working for different parties and big number not working."

Mr. Lynch

How many are not working?

Mr. Cassidy

"Big number not working." So much for the definite statement of the Minister that there were only six spinners in Ardara when, as a matter of fact, there are fifty working and a large number not working. I do not know what reply the Minister will give. I am sorry that when he replies I will not have an opportunity of saying something further, but I would point out to him that the policy, as carried out by the Instructor, seems to be in favour of the mill-spun as against the home-spun yarn. In other words, he takes yarn from the Gaeltacht and sends it to the mill to be spun, thus taking employment from the homes of the people. I submit that that was not the policy the Gaeltacht Commission recommended to be carried out. An Instructor was definitely appointed to improve and develop the industry in the Gaeltacht and to get employment for the people there, but the very fact that he sends the yarn to be spun in the mill as against the home seems to show that he is neglecting the home-spun yarn altogether. I believe that both should be fostered, but, apparently, that is not the policy at present.

Promises were also made to the Industrial Committee in Ardara which was established to develop the industry that if it put a certain amount of money into an electrical installation the necessary machinery would be put up. The local committee in order to show their sincerity installed an electrical installation, and although it takes only 15 horse power to light the village they have a plant of 45 horse power which would enable them to give electricity for a penny a unit for industrial purposes—that would be cheaper than the Shannon Scheme. Any Deputies who read the recommendations of the Gaeltacht Commission will find that in South Donegal there are 1,500 spinning wheels for which money was advanced by the old Congested Districts Board and in connection with which the loans were regularly repaid by the spinners. There are, as I say, roughly 1,500 spinning wheels, and if we estimate the value of each wheel at £2 it means that you have £3,000 worth of spinning wheels. There are in South Donegal 600 looms, each approximately valued at £15, so that these looms are worth £9,000. If you add to that the value of the electrical installation, say £1,000 at a modest estimate, you will find that there is capital lying dormant within the Gaeltacht, in Ardara area, to the extent of £13,000.

Mr. Lynch

Am I to get any chance of replying?

An Leas Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy has been speaking for twenty minutes and the Minister must get time to reply.

Mr. Cassidy

Very well. As I say, you have capital lying dormant to the extent of £13,000. That should be put in operation so that employment will be given to 200 or 300 people and the Minister should give a grant to instal the necessary machinery, namely, carding and breaking plant and dyeing baths. Before the War, even for old patterns, there was a very big market. There should be a bigger market to-day in view of the fact that you have tariffs and trade representatives in London, New York, Berlin, Paris, Brussels and elsewhere. An official has admitted to me that if the Minister would act as he promised and if institutions would take even a percentage of the hand-spun material there would be enough work to keep a large number of weavers going. There is room both for mill-spun and home-spun and the Minister should not neglect one at the cost of the other. To develop mill-spun and to neglect home-spun is asking the people to commit economic hari-kari or economic suicide.

Mr. Lynch

A great deal has been said about the stamp and what I stated yesterday in reply to the question. I repeat what I said then, that "I am not aware that the reorganisation of the home-spun industry is being retarded for the reasons stated at (a)." I am stating that very definitely to-day. I stated in reply to a supplementary question that no application has been received by the Department from anybody in Ardara having cloth and desiring to have a stamp put on it. It is quite a different matter from saying that there has been, and I know there has, a general demand for branding for homespuns and hand-woven material. The test as to whether the industry has been retarded for want of a stamp is the fact that nobody has come along to say: "I have cloth, which I could sell if I had a brand on it. I am held up with this stuff. Will you have it examined and have it branded?" Not one bale of cloth has been brought in under those circumstances. That is what I meant by my answer, and I think it is perfectly obvious to anybody.

In portion of my answer I stated that any person desiring to have pieces of cloth so marked should apply to the Mart at Ardara or to my Department, showing very conclusively that the idea of having a brand, or two brands, as the Deputy has actually prophesied, whether he had any inside information or not, has not been abandoned. In fact, the brands are practically ready, but the industry is not held up for the want of a brand, because not one bale of cloth has been brought in by anybody asking that it should be examined with a view to having it branded. I should say that the preparation of these brands is not quite such an easy matter as one may think. It is not. After a considerable search my Department has found that there is no place in this country where this particular transfer is made, and it is some firm called Briggs in Manchester which is preparing them.

Mr. Cassidy

I thought they were ready.

Mr. Lynch

The brand will be ready for anybody who brings cloth into Ardara for examination by the time the examination is completed. I said further in any answer that in connection with the carding and dyeing plant the Deputy goes back very far. I said that it was then under consideration, but it was well-over 12 months since I stated that I was not prepared to recommend the installation of carding and dyeing plant. I went further, perhaps, than I should have. I always deal with that question with a certain amount of reservation. I would not recommend at the moment, and there was no time that I would have recommended, the installation of the carding and dyeing station in Ardara unless I saw there was greater need for it. The amount of home spinning is not so great as to warrant the installation of a dyeing and carding plant there. In a letter which I sent to the Donegal Co. Council, the end of the second paragraph says— the letter is in Irish and I will translate it for the Deputy—"It is not contemplated at present to provide a plant for carding and dyeing in any place other than the places in which they are already." I should say that whether we establish a carding and dyeing plant in Ardara or not does not in the least say that we are for or against homespun as against millspun. It has nothing to do with it.

I was glad to hear from the Deputy that he does not want us to confine ourselves entirely to home-spun, because if we did we would confine ourselves to a very limited market indeed. There is a great variety of cloth which cannot be made from homespun material for which there is a very considerable market, and I feel that these two things must run side by side. Just to show that we have not been neglecting homespun as against the millspun, it is largely through our instrumentality that the Donegal Co. Council decided to have home-spun for the institutions, and we prepared patterns of stuff for institutions from homespun out of the amount of wool that was available before the last clip.

Mr. Cassidy

Is that hand-spun?

Mr. Lynch

Home-spun. The other is hand woven. One of the brands will be "Saorstát Eireann pure wool home-spun." The other brand will be "Saorstát Eireann hand-woven." It will be, in fact, mill-spun. We are preparing these patterns from the amount of wool available after the last clip. We bought from the last clip 4,000 lbs. of wool. Twelve hundred pounds of that are being made into home-spun for the institutions. The other 3,000 lbs. are being made into home-spun or hand-spun of other types of cloth. We had that carded and dyed in the mill at Convoy and we are actually held up for want of spinners. We had an instructor out for a day and a half and he only found six spinners in Ardara to handle this cloth. We are so hard up for spinners at the moment that we were forced to circularise the clergy in the parishes of Ardara, Glencar, and Glencolumbkill, asking spinners to come along either into the Mart at Ardara——

Mr. Cassidy

Does the Minister deny the accuracy of the telegram which I received this afternoon from Ardara?

Mr. Lynch

I know myself there are spinners employed by Mr. McNiece. I say that we sent an instructor out to find spinners and we could only get six. We are so hard up for spinners that we have had to circularise the priests to get them for us. Generally with regard to home-spun, anybody who wants to make home-spun has only to go into the Mart at Ardara and he will get every possible help. There are methods of exchange there for the home wool. He will get in exchange an equivalent amount of shrunken, carded and dyed stuff or he can dye his own stuff and he will get a corresponding amount when shrunk and carded. We will have the wool carded for him or we will exchange—

Mr. Cassidy

And give the work outside the Gaeltacht.

Mr. Lynch

The spinners can spin in their own homes. The stuff, when spun, can be given to the weavers, 50 or so of whom we have drawn into the Mart at Ardara, and the work can be concentrated in the area as far as possible. We concentrated at first on the thing nearest to hand. We got out patterns in very large varieties from the mill-spun yarn. We showed them to the trade in order to create demand. We are following that up now by getting as many of these patterns as can be produced in homespun and getting them out in the same way for exhibition to the trade. Our policy in this matter is to extend the thing as widely as possible.

Mr. Cassidy

And as slowly.

Mr. Lynch

And not to neglect one for the other, not to concentrate on homespun alone and neglect mill-spun, nor, on the other hand, to concentrate on millspun and neglect homespun. Our policy is to keep both going together, and I think we are succeeding. I think that any fair-minded person who visited Ardara recently will agree that a very considerable amount of work has been done in Ardara in the last twelve months.

The Dáil adjourned at 11 p.m. until Friday, 25th October.