WOOL PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 138, 7 March 1929, Page 18

WOOL PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND

SIR JAMES PARR MEETS BRADFORD EXPERTS ELIMINATION OF FLEECE DEFECTS Dominion Special Service. London, January 18. In an address before the Bradford Textile Society on January 15, the High Commissioner, Sir Janies Parr, referred first to his visit that day to the Saltaire and Airedale factories at Bradford, and said he could wish that every New Zealand sheep farmer could have a similar opportunity of seeing all the intricate processes through which the wool went before becoming the finished article. He went on to picture New Zealand today, describing how British colonising genius had in practically two generations brought the country to its present highly civilised and prosperous state —a country in. the forefront oT the nations of the world. Wool, which had always been a valuable item of the country’s overseas trade, still remained one of the main pillars on wxftih tile prosperity of the Dominion depended. The woollen manufacturers of Bradford and the farmers of New Zealand were partners in the wool trade, and the more the two interests could get together and understand each other’s points of view, the better for all concerned. Sir James Parr traced the history of wool production in New Zealand, and said that to-day sheep-breeding was practically confined to the dual purpose of producing both meat and wool. The most recent statistics showed the Rofiiney to be the predominating breed in all districts except Marlborough and Otago, where half-breeds occupied premier position ; and Canterbury, where the Corriedale sheep—the credit for the evolution of which must be conceded to New Zealand —was in the lead. The Cbrriedales now numbered 14 per cent, of the total floeks. Much information was given by Sir James Parr about the history of the crossing of breeds to produce the present satisfactory meat and crossbred wool sheep, and the record extent of the total stocks of New Zealand was stated. He also told of the increasing quantity of wool that was used locally by the mills in New Zealand for manufacture processes. Some figures he had had taken out regarding wool sales within the Dominion showed that while the purchases by Britain had increased from 198,624 bales in 1912-13 to 265,945 bales in 1927-28, Britain’s operations in relation to the total sales had fallen from 70 per cent, to 49 per cent, in the period stated. Prance, Germany, the United States, and Japan to-day were all operating more extensively than formerly. Coming to a subject of vital interest to Bradford, Sir James Parr said that suggestions had been made with regard to the elimination qf “grey” or “black hair” by careful breeding, and especially by the substitution of Lincoln and Leicester stud sheep for the Romney and rougher breeds. This matter had been carefully regarded by New Zealand farmers. A great deal of attention had been devoted by the New Zealand Agricultural Department to the wool quality question —particularly to any tendency to produce a hair-like fibre; and investigation and instructional work had been carried out to assist the farmer. One of New Zealand’s most skilful and experienced breeders had generously co-operated, and assisted in lectures and demonstrations at farm schools and other meetings. The Wool Instructor of the New Zealand Live Stock Division had carried out a great deal of work in the same direction. It was recognised that the production of 44/4§’s quality wool satisfactory to the spinner was fundamental to the New Zealand grower, as well over 70 per cent, of the Dominion’s wool clip came within that quality. Bradford’s complaint was that the wool was characterised by too large a proportion of hair-like fibres, and fibres which had a much greater thickness at their tip than at the base, accompanied by reduction of lustre artd lack of elasticity. Research, it had been alleged, had shown these defects existed in the Romney and Romney-cross flocks. The suggestion that Romney rams should be substituted by some other breed was not regarded as a practical suggestion, as the Romney in constitution and adaptability to climatic conditions was an ideal breed for New Zealand. Therefore the problem facing sheep farmers in New Zealand was not what to replace the Romney with but what methods of breeding must be carried out so that the fibre defects could be eliminated within the breed. It was a matter for research, and in this work there was room for Imperial cooperation. The Textile Department of the University of Leeds, and the Animalbreeding Research Department of the Edinburgh University were two institutions that should be able to lend valuable assistance. The Leeds University was already assisting with wool exaiftination. / At the conclusion Sir James Parr was greeted with a long round of applause. “It has been a great privilege to hear such an inspiring address about New Zealand and New Zealand’s wool trade,” said the president before announcing that Sir James Parr would be willing to answer questions. (Applause.) Interesting Expert Opinions. Mr. W. Hunter (a past president of the Textile Society) said that before the slump of 1921 New Zealand had supplied Bradford with the greater amount of lustre wool. They could take another 20 per cent, of this wool. NoW they had to go to South America for it. He suggested thht the Lincoln would be an excellent breed to introduce into the New Zealand flocks, and if this strain were substituted for the Romney it would give a considerably increased yield of lustre wool. Professor A. F. Barker said that the Textile Department of the Leeds University had been asked to carry out experiments on the 44-48’s Romney wools of New Zealand. He believed the difficulties of overcoming the defects complained of, without eliminating the Romney breed, were not unsurmountable. It seemed certain the New Zealand farmer would not get rid of the Romney because of the consideration he had to give to the meat carcass for the Home market, and the best thing therefore was to try and abolish the wool defects. They had sent out to New Zenland two of their best men within the last few months, a zoologist and a wool-man, who would help both the New Zealand farmers and subsequently the manufacturers in revealing the difficulties that had to be overcome. The suggestion had been made that possibly the cutting-up of the land in New Zenland and the reduction of the size of the flocks might have been one contributing cause, the smaller farmers using inferior rams for financial considerations. This might or might not be so, but it was worthy of consideration and investigation. The manufacturers, he was sure, were only too anxious to co-operate with the New Zealand farmers to have the right and most profitable types of wool produced. (Applause.) The university felt it a great privilege to be associated with the New Zealand people in endeavouring to get n type of wool that might be n little better than in the last few years. In moving a vote of thanks Mr. D. Hamilton said he had once before had the privilege of hearing Sir James Parr and his pleasurable anticipations had been fully warranted. (Applause.) People sometimes wondered why English folk had such a warm place in their hearts for New Zealand. In his opinion Sir James Parr was a typical New Zealander, and they would realise from that why they liked New Zealand so much. (Applause.) In New Zealand also there were the most loval British peonle in the world, and he hoped thev would keep the Dominion always as British. (Applause.) He hoped Sir Janies Parr, who bad seen over their factories nnd heard their complaints, would do what he could to help them in placing these complaints before his Government. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce he

extended a hearty, invitation to Sir James Parr to come again to Bradford and stay longer. (Loud applause.) Mr. H. Dawson seconded the vote ot thanks, recalling the visit of the late Mr. Massey to Bradford and their treasured recollection of him. (Applause.) “I feel it a very great compliment to my country rather than to myself that so many have assembled to hear me tonight,” said Sir James Parr in replying. He would be pleased to report to the Government the views regarding the wool placed before him. “The New Zealand farmer is a very good chap,” he declared, and he recalled the gift of the slieepowners of New Zealand of £200,000 out of wool profits during the war to endow the Flock House scheme for the benefit of dependants of sailors who were killed .or incapacitated during the war. (Applause.)