ARTIFICIAL WOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 100, 29 April 1940, Page 6

ARTIFICIAL WOOL.

The output of artificial wool fibre last year equalled the total scoured wool production for the whole of Australia, * New Zealand, South Africa, the Argentine and Uruguay. This announcement, made to-day by the International Wool Secretariat, discloses the extent of the menace to New Zealand's third industry in point of export values, and emphasises the warnings already given concerning the growing competition of the wool substitute. Last year we exported wool to the value of £11,665,909, of which £1,263,336 came from the Auckland Province. And even though the strong natural advantages of wool are a great defensive factor, in maintaining the demand, it is clear that the Dominion, in common with other Empire countries, will have to put up a big fight against a very strong invader. Four years ago the total artificial wool production was 250 million pounds weight, a year later it was 600 million pounds weight, and one pound corresponds to two pounds of greasy wool. The total was then a little more than Australia's production; in the intervening three years it has spread to an equality with all the great wool-producing countries of the Empire and of South America, a tremendous stride in so brief a period. The Wool Secretariat has carried out a vigorous campaign to make better known the advantages of wool over its competitor, to overcome some of its shortcomings, such , as shrinkage, and to provide for its ' distribution in every possible area. I In this it has now the full co-operation 1 of the British Government) which is taking the whole of the Australian and Xew Zealand clips, but the figures make it very plain that a still stronger campaign for wool is needed*