Japanese woolmen to urge settlement

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34131, 19 April 1976, Page 13

Japanese woolmen to urge settlement

W.Z. Press Assn— Copyright) TOKYO, April 17. Deeply disconcerted by the prolonged strikes of Australian wool warehouse and packingworkers, the Japanese wool-spinning industry has decided to send a mission to Canberra to seek early and smooth shipment of raw wool. The Japan Wool Spinners’ Association has decided to telegraph messages to the Australian Government and trade unions concerned complaining about its present plight, caused by a walk-out late in February.' Japan depends on Austra-

lia for nearly 80 per cent of its raw wool imports, which total about 200,000 tons a year. Since the beginning of April, however, the shipments have all but stopped because of the strikes. Japanese wool spinners, the association said, might be compelled to stop their operations, possibly in midMay, because of an acute shortage of raw wool stocks. It is also worried about possible steep price rises of wool top and yarn in Japan, as well as Australian raw wool itself. In the worst case, the association expects it might have to seek Government approval for laying off workers under an employment adjustment- law.