WEARING MORE WOOL

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 168, 12 April 1932, Page 6

WEARING MORE WOOL

Success of Campaign Week DISPLAYS IN WELLINGTON Beginning well on Wednesday last. New Zealand “Wool Week” in Wellington has exceeded expectations. Public interest has been roused to an extent seldom achieved by a seasonable campaign of this nature, and the results are being reflected directly in greatly increased retail sales of skein wool, woollen materials, and garments'. This outcome of the “Wear Afore Wool” drive, while highly satisfactory, is by no means surprising. It has been obvious that the extent of the co-opera-tion this year between the various producing and selling interests, and the public, ensured a large .measure of success. A special feature of the week in Wellington has been the exhibits and window displays arranged by many of the large city shops. As a group these have comprised almost a winter exhibition of the woollen industry, and one that has attracted large numbers of Wellington, and visiting shoppers. Without doubt, behind the success of Wool Week is the swiftly-growing public appreciation of what the extended use of wool means to New Zealand. In addition, Dame Fashion has ranged her all-powerful self alongside the producer, while the manufacturers, both; overseas and in New Zealand, have played their part admirably. They have designed and presented wool and woollen goods in a variety that would not have been dreamed of even a few seasons ago.

“For the past week our skein-wool counters have been the busiest in the shop,” a Wellington retail departmental manager told "The Dominion” yesterday. while discussing the excellent results of Wool Week. “Judging by the sales,” he said, “the amount of knitting being done in New Zealand homes at the present time breaks all save waryear records.”

He added that the preference of buyers was strongly for New Zealand wools, which compared very favourably with the majority of competitive lines on the market. Imported wools from the well-known English mills and, with them, the imported woollen materials and model garments were meeting with a brisk "demand. “This season,” another retailer said, “woollen materials are better than any I have handled in the past. Not-only are the designs new and essentially smart, but the weave in the case of New Zealand-made goods has improved enormously. Among the woollen materials from overseas are some entirely new ones—delightful fabrics which are particularly suited to our New Zealand winter and the present-day modes. With such goods to show, and the strong sentiment that is behind the ‘public’s buying, it is little wonder that Wool Week is a decided success.”