BRADFORD'S NEED

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 67, 22 March 1929, Page 17

BRADFORD'S NEED

PRODUCTION OF WOOL

THE ROMNEY BREED

DEFECTS IN FIBKE

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 23nd January.

In his address before the Bradford Textile Society on loth January, Sir James Parr referred first to his visit that day to tho Saltaire and Airedale factories at Bradford, and said ho 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.

Sir James traced the •■history oi! wool production in New Zealand, and said that to-day aheep breeding was practically confined to the dual purpose of producing both meat and wool. The most recent statistics showed the Homney to bo the predominating breed in all districts except Marlborough and Otago, where half-breeds occupied premier position; and Canterbury where the Uorriedale sheep—the credit for the evolution of which must be conceded to New Zealand —was in tho lead. The Corriedales now numbered 14 per cent, of the total flocks. Considerable information was given by Sir James 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 flocks of New Zealand was stated. Ho also told oi the increasing 'luantity 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 191243 to 265,945 bales la 19&7-28, Britain's operations in relation to' the total sales 1 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. WOOL QUALM* QUESTION. Coining to A subject of vital interest to Bradford* Sir James said that suggestions had been made with regard to the elimination of "grey" or "black hair" by careful breeding and especially by the substitution of Lincoln and Leicester stud sheep for the Komney and rougher breeds. This matter had been carefully considered by New Zealand farmers. A great deal of attention had been devoted by tho New Zealand Agricultural Department to the wool quality question-^particularly to any tendency to produce a hair-like iibre; 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. Tho wool instructor of tho New Zealand Live Stock Division had carried out a groat deal of work in the same direction. It was recognised that the production of 44/48's quality wool satisfactory to the spinner was fundamental to the Now Zealand grower, as well over 70 per cent, of the Dominion's wool clip cam© within that quality. Bradford's complaint was that tho wool was characterised by too large a proportion of hair-like ilbres, and fibres which had a much greater thickness at their tip than at the base, accompanied by reduction of lustre and lack of elasticity.

Research, it had been alleged, had shown these defects existed in the Eomney and Eomney-cross flocks. The suggestion that Bomuey rams should be substituted by some Other breed was not regarded as a practical suggestion ns tho Eomney in constitution, and adaptability to Climatic conditions, was !iu ideal breed for New Zealand. Therefore, the problem facing sheop farmers iv New Zealand was not' what to replace the Eomney with, but what methods of breeding must bo carried out so that the flbro defects could be eliminated within the breed. It was a mattor for research, and in this work there was room for Imperial co-operation. The Textile Department of the University of Leeds, and tho Animal Breeding Research Dopartment of the Edinburgh University, were two institutions that should be able to lend valuable assistance. The Leeds University was already assisting with wool examination. (Applause.)

In conclusion, Sir James referred sympathetically to the difficult times through which the wool manufacturing industry in Britain had been passing, but he declared he had no doubt the depression was only temporary. (Applause.) He spoke of the great advantage to be gained by all the Empire countries pulling ■ together, especially in the matter of trade, and concluded with an eloquent reference to the vastness and power of the British Empire and its wonderful resources.

EXPERT OPINIONS. Mr. William. Hunter, a past-president of the Textile Society, said that before the slump of 1921 New Zoaland had supplied Bradford with thotgreater 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 that- the Lincoln would be an excellent breed to introduce into the New Zealand flocks, and if this strain were substituted for tho Eomney 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 Eomney wools of New Zealand. He believed the difficulties of overcoming the defects complained of, without eliminating the Eomney breed, were not insurmountable. It seemed certain the New Zealand farmer would not get rid of the Eomney because of the consideration he had to give to the meat carcass for tho Home market, and the best thing, therefore, was to try and abolish tho wool defects. They had sent out to New Zealand two of their best men within the last few months.a zoologist and a wool uian, who would help both the New Zealand farmers and subsequently the manufacturers iv revealing tho difficulties that had to bo overcome. Tho suggestion had boon made that possibly the cutting up of the land in Now Zealand and the reduction of tho sizo 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 tho 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 peoplo in endeavouring to get a typo of wool that might be a littlo better than in the last fow years.

Mr. Walter Swalley said he had immensely onjoyed tho address. There was no doubt it would firo tho Empire spirit amongst tho young people. (Applause.)

In moving a vote of thanks, Mr. D. Hamilton said he hoped that Sir James Parr, who had seen ovor their factories and heard their complaints, would do what he could to help thorn in placing these complaints before his Government. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, ho extended a hearty iiivita-

tion to Sir James to como again to Bradford and stay longer. Mr. Harry Dawsou seconded the vote of thanks, recalling the visit of the ate Mr. Massoy 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 havo assembled licre to hear mo to-night," said Sir James Parr, m replying. H o would be pleased to report to tho Government the views regarding the wool placed before him. "The New Zealand farmer is a very good chap," he declared, and ho recalled th 6 gift of the sheep owners 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. It had been a great pleasure to him to come to such proverbially warm-hearted poople as the people df Yorkshire. (Applause.)