Shortage of Wool Classers

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23129, 19 September 1940, Page 6

Shortage of Wool Classers

Mr H. M. Christie, chairman of the Wool Council, In a recent statement emphasised the great importance of classifying and preparing the new season’s clip to the best standards, both to expedite appraisal and shipment and to secure the fullest return under the scheduled prices; and his remarks illustrate the seriousness of the threatened scarcity of competent classers and sorters. The secretary of the Canterbury Freezing and Related Trades Union, a day or so ago, said that he himself knew of five proficient young men who, in the last few months, had been accepted for oversea military service and for whom it would not be easy to find substitutes; and while he thought it likely that the scouring industry would close down soon enough to release classers, he insisted that it would be necessary to hold back skilled workers from military service. Whether the release of men from the scours will be adequate to supply the need in the sheds and stores may*

however, be doubted; but even on the most hopeful assumption it is obvious that steps should be taken to protect an essential supply industry against the delays, inefficiency, and losses that would result from a shortage of expert classers and sorters. The want of a thoroughly effective manpower organisation, based on a comprehensive national register, is a costly handicap; but it can no doubt be overcome by swift and vigorous effort. It may be suggested that the district committees established by the Primary Production Council might be called into co-operation with the manpower committees. Work on the national register has probably, by now, advanced to a stage at which it will afford some help; but local knowledge of industrial personnel will be indispensable to save time, when time is already short.