§ Mr. ThorntonWith your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I wish to present a Petition signed by the Mayor of Farnworth and 2,525 other residents of that Borough. Amongst other things, the Petition calls attention to the fact that large numbers of the townspeople depend for their livelihood on the cotton textile industry, and that widespread unemployment and under-employment are again returning, due to the loss of export markets and continuing imports of cotton textiles from Commonwealth countries with lower living standards.
After setting forth the very relevant and important factors, the Petition concludes:
Wherefore, your Petitioners humbly pray that your Honourable House will take action without delay to limit the import of cheap textiles produced under unfair competitive conditions, and will devote itself to save the cotton towns of Lancashire from becoming derelict by taking prompt action to stimulate and revive the cotton industry and to secure the establishment of new industries in the Borough of Farnworth and other cotton towns in Lancashire.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
§ To lie upon the Table.