The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Monday, January 8, 1968— COMMERCE and industry in Bulawayo yesterday welcomed the Government’s decision to cut Rhodesia’s imports of cotton and rayon fabrics, but there were warnings that the customer will pay more over the counter.

Mr Standish Harris, senior vice-president of Bulawayo Chamber of Industries, said: “Expansion in the cotton industry is a natural thing for Rhodesia and I believe that suggestions that it would mean employment for an extra 1 000 people are very conservative.

“My only worry is that the cut in imports may cause inflation in prices for cotton goods, but the industry must be given this opportunity to get on its feet and it will allow more farmers to diversify their crops.”

Mr Basil Watts, president of Bulawayo Chamber of Commerce, commented: “Commerce, like everybody else, wants independence, so long as the home-produced article meets the quality and price of imported goods.

“There must be a price rise, but people in the industry are responsible people who realise that the public will economise on buying cotton goods if prices rise too high.”

Mr E Broomberg, chairman of the Central African Textile Manufacturers’ Association, said: “I have no doubt that the industry will measure up to the challenge.

“There will be an increase in the already wide range of materials currently being made, and gradually, an increasing selection of designs and qualities will be available.”