Shrink-Proof Wool

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31661, 23 April 1968, Page 14

Shrink-Proof Wool

Sir,—“All for Wool” congratulates the scientists responsible for the “great break-through ... for New Zealand” in discovering shrink-proofing of wool. I am afraid that the cheers are rather belated. Machine-wash-able woollens have been freely on sale in the United Kingdom for at least two years. I have an Englishmade pullover, not yet washed, which I would submit for a comparative test if the Wool Board is interested. —Yours, etc., H. GRIFFITHS. April 22, 1968. “A Rolls-Royce Triumph”

Sir,—l place economists alongside the meteorologists and educationists as professional bad guessers and prophets of woe, but I should have expected one of that fraternity to challenge your claim that the Rolls-Royce cut-price contract for the supply of airbus engines to Lockheed “will contribute significantly to Britain’s balance of payments.” You named two of the buyers of the aircraft, but omitted to mention that part of the “great deal” was the arrangement with the British firm. Air Holdings, to take 50 airbuses for SUS62S million, leaving the balance of payments SUS39O million in America’s favour—hardly a signal victory in what you so aptly termed a “psychological war.”- -Y ours, etc., VARIAN J. WILSON. April 22, 1968.