I.W.S. To Aid Japanese Wool Industry

Press, Volume C, Issue 29699, 18 December 1961, Page 16

I.W.S. To Aid Japanese Wool Industry

Ways in which the full strength of International Wool Secretariat assistance is being brought to the Japanese wool industry were set out by the newly-appointed managing director '(Mr W, J, Vines) at the conclusion of a three-weeks’ visit to Japan. A team of senior American and Australian ■wool technicians is to be sent by the secretariat to Japan to work with the wool trade in the development of new produets and processes for woollen fabrics.

A programme of technical service work is being planned by Dr. Gerald Laxer, the secretariat’s director of science and technology in North America, who is at present in Japan. He will also recommend certain fundamental research work to be carried out under the sponsorship of the secretariat. Dr. F. Bekku. a distinguished Japanese wool scientist, has been appointed head of the research and technical service department of the secretariat in Japan. He will study these operations of the secretariat in other countries next year.

It is expected that a pilot plant for testing new processes will be established in Japan. Mr A. P. Zentler. the secretariat’s director of economics, is in Japan arranging for extensive market surveys and the appointment of an

economic staff to the Japanese office.

Mr D. P. Williams, at present Commercial Counsellor for the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, has been appointed deputy director of the secretariat in Japan. He is well known to the wool trade. The appointment of a director to succeed Mr J. L. Allaway, who is retiring, is expected soon.

As a result of discussions with the Japanese wool industry, it had been decided to increase the allocation of secretariat funds for promotional work in Japan next year. The chairman of the secretariat (Sir William Gunn), who accompanied Mr Vines, told a press conference that woolgrowers recognised the tremendous importance of the Japanese market. It was their desire to do everything they could to help the industry because it was absolutely necessary to their own prosperity.

Commenting on Japanese labour costs. Sir William Gunn said that his inquiries showed them to be comparable with other countries. Employees received many benefits and when these were added to wages, the total was not much less than in many Western countries.