TNAG-0244-FCO40-280-Exports-of-textiles-from-Hong-Kong-to-USA-1970 — Page 95

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G.F. 323

Encl. 2

CONFIDENTIAL

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38.

Mr. Blackman prefixed his remarks by saying

that there had been a jump in unemployment from 3.5%

of the work force in August, to 4.0% in September 1969.

He then went on to describe the employment situation

in the U.S. textile and apparel industry and the gist

of his remarks is set out in Enclosure 2 which he

passed across the table. During the course of his

exposition, Mr. Blackman introduced further figures

relating to the employment position as at September

1969.

39.

Sir Eugene Melville asked whether it was

appropriate to concentrate on changes which had taken

place as recently as September 1969, since it was

difficult to see the latest figures in perspective.

He thought the broad picture was one of an expanding

industry and he wondered why this had not been pointed

out to the labour unions and the industry as a whole.

40.

Mr. Blackman said there were two points to

be made here. First it was true that there had been

slightly increased employment in the apparel sector

because more workers were required to produce permanent

press garments. But this meant more man hours worked

and higher costs. And even where there had been increases

in employment, these rises had not kept pace with the

general rise in employment in all manufacturing industry.

/Secondly

CONFIDENTIAL