WOOL INDUSTRY PLANS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 21, 19 October 1944, Page 6

WOOL INDUSTRY PLANS

Post-War Requirements (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Received October 18, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 18. The Post-war Reconstruction Committee of the British wool textile industry indicates in an interim report the> problems facing the wool consuming trades m the transition from war to peace production. The report does not discuss the future Empire wool scheme or post-war wool surplus disposals, presumably regarding these as matters for intergovernmental consideration, but cohfines itself chiefly to.the difficulties likely to face the British wool mills. The committee aims at the earliest possible post-war restoration of the British wool textile industry to full production, and this is consistent with the best interests of New Zealand wool growers, as Britain is the largest consumer of this commodity. The report says British wool machinery has been heavily overworked during the past five years in satisfying the vast war requirements and will need extensive post-war renewals and replacements. After similar service in the last war British wool mills found themselves at a disadvantage compared with Continental mills equipped with new plants supplied by Britain, and the report urges a reasonable priority of machinery supply for Britain. Release of Key Workers.

The return to full production will depend on the rate of the return of operatives, and the report appeals for the early release of certain types of key workers, without whom large numbers of semi-skilled operatives cannot be absorbed. A broader basis for wool research is urged, and the report, endoraespproposals for maintaining Britain’s Wool Research Institution by a statutory levy. Finally, the report suggests taxation relief for capital expenditure on machinery and buildings. The report is regarded as, a practical approach to post-war problems and demonstrates the industry’s anxiety for the earliest possible post-war rehabilitation. This is necessary to facilitate the consumption of world woo! surpluses and to provide much-needed wool goods for the world populations. In this connexion British wool manufacturers welcome the Board of Trade statement that subject to the priority for war work British industry may prepare for peacetime production and discuss post-war contracts with the Dominions and other overseas customers. This is the first oflicial encouragement of this course. It has also been announced that more labour is being allotted to the British clothing industryj and the production of civilian suits for the demobilized forces is to be accelerated. This has no military significance and means only that such provision must he available before the earliest possible requirement. After 12 months’ susjxmsion due to war factors the authorities are also allowing limited exports of wool cloth to the United States and Latin America. These various details encourage the hope that the long period of contraction in lite British wool goods output, may be giving place to a permitted gradual expansion. If so.,it is good news for New Zealand wool growers as well as for the British mills.