Board calls for quality

Press, 15 August 1984, Page 37

Board calls for quality

PA Wellington New Zealand woolgrowers will benefit from the further processing of the national clip within this country, the chairman of the Wool Board, Mr Doug McDraith, said yesterday. But he warned that such processing must be • market rather than production led, and must be directed toward the best products, sold in markets where people were looking for fashion, quality, and the C- ure of owning some-well-made, lasting, and with wool’s aesthetic qualities. “We must remember that New Zealand wool, because of its good colour and style is amongst the most valu-, able of its kind in thd ’ world,” said Mr Mcllraith in an address to the Meat and Wool Boards’ Electoral

Committee. “We should not be competing on price in the market with low-cost products where the basis of success is overwhelmingly pricebased.” “It is pleasing to see the New Zealand textile industry rising to the challenge,” said Mr Mcllraith. “Purchase of machinery by New Zealand carpet yarn spinners in the past year or two is said to be equal to the rest of the world put together.” Mr Mcllraith said that New Zealand mills last season were the woolgrowers’ third largest customer. Their purchases in the last four years have increased 85 per cent to 27,000 tonnes, or 178,000 bales. “It is not just the large firms, but right down to the small entrepreneurs that are finding niches for New Zealand wool goods in world markets. “Large and small they are committed to New Zealand and New Zealand wool. And with carefully positioned and properly marketed products there are potential benefits to woolgrowers,” he added.