Woolpacks Said To Be Tainted

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32037, 11 July 1969, Page 1

Woolpacks Said To Be Tainted

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 10. Complaints from Japanese wool importers that New Zealand-made flax woolpacks were contaminating the export clip were being studied, the Minister, of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall) said today. He confirmed that complaints about contamination of wool from loose fibres from Phormium tenax woolpacks had been received from Japanese wool spinners. Reports from Tokyo on Wednesday said the Japanese Wool Importers Association had asked the New Zealand Wool Board to stop shippers using flax packs. Mr Marshall also confirmed

that the Wool Board had approached the Government about the problem. The Japanese association said flax produced in New Zealand frayed easily and the resultant dust fibre was mixed with raw wool in the packs and affected the quality. The association hinted that Japanese importers might stop purchasing raw wool in New Zealand because of this problem.

Mr Marshall said the New Zealand manufacturer was already taking steps to reduce contamination by singeing the cloth before it was made into woolpacks. Complaints were also received from time to time about contamination from loose fibres in jute woolpacks, Mr Marshall said. “The Government wants the New Zealand wool clip to be presented to buyers in the best condition, and the complaints received are being closely studied,” he said.