WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1927, Page 10

WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

NEW ZEALAND MILLS

Twelve New Zealand woollen mills "furnished returns ia the Government "Statistician" for the year ended 31st March last, and the value of land, buildings, and machinery in use in the industry was recorded as £970,484, an increase of £155,----813 or 19 per cent, over that reported for March, 1924. There were 2326 persons employed, or .55 less than in the previous year. The net decrease is accounted for by there being 31 more females employed and 86 less males. The industry's wagesbill shows a steady decline over the last three years. In 1923-24 it was £418,905, in 1926 £362,020, or 13 per cent, in two years. The cost of materials used also; fell from £739,325 in 1923-24 to £607,077 in 1925-26. Male workers received £235.----074 and female workers £126,946 in 1925----26. The value of produce in 1926 was £1,159,771 and the value added in the process of manufacture was £552,694. The quantity of scoured wool used lmt year was .3,873,928 pounds, costing £525,665, and other materials £81,412, a total of £607,077. The output by the mills last year was 989,652 yards of tweeds and cloths, 1,073,209 yards of flannel, 128,485 blankets, 71,336 rugs and shawls, and 472,----045 pounds of yarn.

Imports of woollen manufactures, mostly from the United Kingdom, since 1921 have been as follows, in values: 1921, £2,562,754; 1922, £2,188,489; 1923, £3,248,----85 a; 1924, £2^65,363; 1925, £3,136,992..