Bradford Talks On N.Z. Wool Problems

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31345, 15 April 1967, Page 1

Bradford Talks On N.Z. Wool Problems

(from the London correspondent of "The Press") LONDON, April 14. “The Bradford people feel we are going to come out of this all right—but the question is when,” said Mr J. Acland, chairman of the Wool Board, in London yesterday. Mr Acland had just returned from a visit to Bradford where for several days he had discussions with the leading manufacturers about New Zealand’s crisis caused by the drop in prices of crossbred wool.

Manufacturers were keeping short stocks in the meantime, and were waiting to see some sign of re-awak-ened interest from consumers before they returned to heavy use of New Zealand wools, said Mr Acland.

Asked if it might be a question of months or years, Mr Acland said: “I can’t say. I just don't know.” But he emphasised that Bradford took only 20 per eent of the wool consumed in the world. “Bradford is having aa uncomfortable a time as we are in New Zealand—they are not very happy,” said Mr Acland. It was his first visit to Bradford for two years. Mr Acland said that he wanted to give Bradford

manufacturers a chance to tell him of their problems with New Zealand wool. He had heard criticisms that it was not well-prepared, and that there was too much short wool.

“Unquestionably a proportion of our wools are too short, and there is room for improvement But I think that by and large, they are satisfied with our wool. “The future of New Zealand wool at Bradford depends on the consuming public of the world,” said Mr Acland. Hard Year It had always been known that 1967 was going to be a difficult year because the patents for synthetics were to fall due and the big companies would be reducing prices. Fiscal policies of the British and European Governments had contributed to New Zealand's wool price crisis as well as crossbred wools having been sold considerably below the New Zealand floor price, not only in South America and Australia, but also in the United Kingdom. “There is also no question that fashion has played its part in this,” said Mr Acland.

Some of the detrimental effect of fashion upon coarser wools would be only shortterm. The International Wool Secretariat and all its branches in 19 countries were going to do everything possible in promotion, and would possibly influence changes in fashion to help the situation. Some fashion effects might be long-term. Because of better insulation of houses people today tended to wear lighter fabrics; also, fewer blankets were being used on beds because of electric blankets.

“On the other hand, the population of the world is in-

creasing, so the same amount of wool should be used,” said Mr Acland.

Returning to the question of fashion, Mr Acland said there was evidence that Russia was adopting wool in a big way. Last year Russia’s wool buying was three times greater than in the previous season.

In addition, Russia was now buying garments and knitwear in Europe—yarn and finished articles made of crossbred wools. This was from countries to which New Zealand exported. Because of this, the International Wool Secretariat would be one of the major exhibitors at an international

clothing exhibition to be held in Moscow from August 22 to September 5. A section would be devoted completely to crossbred wools from New Zealand, showing the type of articles that could be made. Big Difficulty “This is of considerable importance,” said Mr Acland. “One of our great difficulties is that while Merino wool and crossbred are both wool and overlap, there does need to be greater distinction between them and definition of their specific end use.” Mr Acland has been in London for a fortnight initially to attend a meeting of directors of the International Wool Secretariat.

He will leave on Sunday and return home via the United States, arriving in New Zealand on April 21.