MR WARDELL CRITICISED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29293, 26 August 1960, Page 14

MR WARDELL CRITICISED

Woolgrowers Deny Charge Of Apathy (New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, August 25. “The retiring chairman of the Wool Board, Mr H. J. Wardell, is a man for whom the woolgrowers have a very high regard, and they very much regret his retirement,” said Mr A. W. Moore, chairman of the Meat and Wool section of Waikato Federated Farmers, today. “But, while wool-growers must take notice of his views, I must deny that his charge of an apathetic attitude among woolgrowers applies to those in the Waikato and Auckland districts. “The South and North Auckland land districts are most progressive areas, having increased their sheep population by over 50 per cent since 1955. “We have been asking for years for a rearrangement of the wool sales to give Auckland an extra sale and the Wool Board has done nothing about it. “I warned the board in 1956 when we had dropped back about 8000 bales that this was not a true position and that when our flocks had recovered from the ravages of eczema there would be a rapid increase. “Our wool went up 19,000 bales the next year (1957), 13,000 in 1958 and 27,000 in 1959 to over 200,000 bales, with a further increase this year. “We still haven’t got an extra sale with an increase of 60,000 bales.

“How can the woolgrowers give give the Wool Board enthusiastic support when it does not put up anything for us to support? “We were told to increase our production of wool to compete against the inroads of synthetic materials. We have done this, but so far the board has done nothing to cope with the market problems of the increase.”