WOOL AND WOOLSTRA

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 221, 15 June 1936, Page 8

WOOL AND WOOLSTRA

Although the Trade Commissioner in Australia for the Leipsig Fair, quoted in a message from Auckland on Saturday, may be unduly optimistic of the prospects of Germany’s wool substitute “woolstra,” his account of the progress of its manufacture is worth some attention from people concerned in the growth and marketing of real wool. Woolstra is not wholly a “substitute” for wool: it contains forty per cent, of wool —and for that reason probably will be a more dangerous rival than a completely new fibre would be. The inclusion of a substantial base of wool is a compliment to the proven qualities of the natural material, but also it adds weight to the claim that woolstra looks well, feels good and wears well. Independent investigators have reported that so far it is not likely to become a serious rival of wool; Mr. Brundahl says it is only in its primary stages. Whether it can be developed, as he maintains, to a point where it will “revolutionise the market and have the same effect as artificial silk has had on real silk” depends on the scientists. Sufficient success has been won, however, to put wool upon its mettle. If a fight for consumer markets should come, wool would lie hard to beat; but its hold might be weakened, already by the amazing growth in the demand for artificial silk. Therefore wool should be put into training. From the lamb to the loom, the effort to maintain and improve quality should be concerted and unremitting. Manufacturers, both here and at Home, are looking to their end of the business; but growers as a body are apparently not yet convinced of the compelling urgency of the need. Now that Parliament is in recess, the Minister of Agriculture may be able to push on his intention of organising the sheep-farming industry to finance research into its problems. The late Government did its best, but failed to win the sympathy of producers —or at any rate their consent to a levy. Possibly the progress of woolstra in the interim may make the new Government’s task in this respect an easier one.