During a speech to his staff on Friday, a Rushden boot manufacturer unrolled a hand-drawn map of the world and drew attention to blobs of red which appeared in many parts.

Coun. W. E. Capon, managing director of Messrs. John Cave and Sons, Ltd., was giving what he called a "short list" of places to which the firm is exporting. It included five or six Continental countries, the Mediterranean islands and countries around the Near East, the Far East, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, India, and other countries around the Persian Gulf, Australia, New Zealand, the islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, North and South America, Iceland, and other islands just outside the Arctic Circle, the West Indies, and the East Indies.

The speech was made at a Bedford restaurant, where the staff and other guests, numbering about 70, were entertained to tea after driving over from Rushden in two buses.

Mr. Capon said that 1948 would long be remembered as the year of great changes. The removal of subsidies came upon the trade almost as an avalanche, and together with the new wage agreement had created a state of affairs which would take a long time to sort itself out.

Exports Zest

The all important question of export was closely linked up with these factors. "Commonwealth" has always taken a keen interest in export trade and was still prosecuting it with zest.

The difficulties of the times came as a direct challenge. It had been thought that war-time restrictions would be eased as the months and years passed, but, taking a broad view of what happened during the war years — wholesale destruction and concentration of scientific research on matters other than those which made for real progress— it was not to be wondered that restrictions, quotas and licences continued.

Mr. Capon said that the exports for different countries claimed individual attention as to styles, shapes and fittings. The immediate call was for quality with craftsmanship

Of the spirit in industry, Mr. Capon observed: "I like to think we are all engaged in a common task, not merely of building up an industry or of providing ourselves with the necessities of life, but contributing our quota to the common well being of the community and taking our share in trying to put this old country on its feet."

Guests

Mr. Capon referred to the firm's interest in the Works Council, and Social Club, tennis, bowls, and improved factory routine. He welcomed as guests for the evening Coun. A. H. Bailey (Chairman of Rushden U.D.C.) Mrs. Bailey, Mr. R. T. Saint (Lloyds Bank), Mrs. Saint, Mr. T. C. Percival (Ministry of Labour), Mrs. Percival, Mr. C. M. Strudwicke and Mr. A. Cooper (British United Shoe Machinery Co.). Mrs. Capon and Mrs. F. Tysoe were also present.

Coun. Bailey spoke of John Cave and Sons as a firm of wide repute, for the quality and style of the footwear it made.

Though one of the oldest in Rushden, he said, it possessed an up to the minute factory, using only the modern methods.

Rushden people owed a great debt to the boot industry and particularly to "Commonwealth."

Mr. Capon had played a great part in the public life of Rushden, and in just the same way the firm of John Cave and Sons had taken a leading part in the town's social activities.

Mr. Strudwicke, who spoke for the visitors, said there was an atmosphere in the John Cave factory that could not be experienced in all factories. It was due, he was convinced to the character of the man at the head.

For the employees, Mr. Walter Tyler paid tribute to what had been done for the welfare of the employees.

Mr. Frank Tysoe (works manager) replied for the firm, and thanked the staff. He said he believed the keynote of the future, especially for the export market, would be quality.

After the speeches, a visit was paid to the Royal County Theatre, where the Falcon Players' performance of "Love in a Mist," an Exmoor comedy, was enjoyed.

At the end of the show, the party went on the stage, and met the players, Mr. Gordon Briant, manager of the theatre, making the introductions. Mr. Capon invited the Repertory Company to visit the "Commonwealth" factory.