Consumption Of Wool Up For Year

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31383, 31 May 1967, Page 1

Consumption Of Wool Up For Year

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 30.

Consumption of wool in 1966 was about 2} per cent higher than it was in 1965 and was nearly equal to the 1961 record, according to figures presented in Brussels today to textile industrialists attending the 36th annual conference of the International Wool Textile Organisation.

A statistical report said that activities in the world’s wool and textile industries suffered a marked decrease from mid-1966 after severe anti-deflation measures were taken by many governments, according to information received by the Wool Board in Wellington. For the first time, newer synthetic fibres were in general over-supply, leading to widespread price-cutting. Britain and the United States, the two biggest consumers, both used 4 per cent less wool than they did in 1965, but Japan used 13 per cent more, and E.E.C. coun-

tries increased consumption by 11 per cent—ltaly leading with a 25 per cent gain. Another bright spot in the year was the continued increase in international trade in raw wool and most woollen goods. The countries surveyed showed a 4 per cent increase in 1966, a new record.

The report noted that world wool production, which had shown little variation during five seasons up to 1965-1966, was expected to be about 2 per cent higher in the current season at 3343 million lb, with the increase likely to be largely in crossbred wools.