Wool trade gathers in Christchurch

Press, 16 July 1982, Page 16

Wool trade gathers in Christchurch

5 Over 100 people from all sections of the New Zealand i wool trade gathered in i Christchurch this week for 1 the annual conference of the ' Massey Wool Association. • It was the first conference to be held in Christchurch in • the association’s 35-year his- • tory. : the Massey Wool Association is the only national : forum where matters of interest to the whole New’ Zealand wool industry — from farmer to manufacturer — can be freely and openly discussed. . The objects and ideals of the association are to foster efficiency and good standing of personnel and to entourage a spirit of friendship and co-operation throughout the industry. Another aim is to hold an annual conference and to provide for practical refreshers and demonstrations and speakers of authority on a full range of topical subjects — including sheep breeding, woolgrowing, processing, research, marketing and promotion.

Speakers this week 'included the vice-chancellor of Massey University, Sir Alan Stewart, who gave the opening address: Professor D. A. Ross and Dr B. R. Wilkinson from the Lincoln College Wool Science Department; Dr P. E. Ingham, Wool Research Organisation; Dr J. G. Sinclair, N.Z. Wool Board; and Dr D. J. Ward, director of the Australian Wool Testing Laboratory. A past president and member of the Australian Council of Wool Buyers, Mr M. R. Lempriere, also spoke on wool buying in Australia in the future.

In conjunction with the conference a competition for New Zealand Fleece of the Year is judged. This year the winner was a fleece from Mr A. D. Patterson, of Dunedin, entered by Wrightson NMA, Ltd. The judges were Mr J. D. Devine and Mr J. C. Simpson. . ,

There were 58 entries and the judges commented that the Merino entries were good, the Halfbred and Corriedale . fleeces were a

little disappointing considering Christchurch was a fine wool centre, and there-was a strong entry of crossbred fleeces with an extremely high standard. There wre also competitions among woo! buyers and brokers on repeatability, a greasy/type test and slipe assessment. These are open competitions held annually by the Massey Wool Association.

In his opening address Sir Alan Stewart foreshadowed extramural wool handling courses from Massey University.

He said that extramural students accounted for 20 per cent of all those enrolled at university in New Zealand. Massey had recognised the challenge of the 1970 s and 1980 s by providing vocational courses for such groups as nurses, policemen, health workers, regional planners and many others. “Massey has been downinto the marketplace and developed courses for people desiring education for their careers,” he said.