WOOL INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 20666, 13 December 1930, Page 14

WOOL INDUSTRY

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE LORD BARNBY PRESENT [Feu United I'xess Association.] WELLINGTON, December 12. A conference of dominion wool interests, presided- over by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Murdoch), was held on December 8 at Wellington. There were present Lord Barnby (chairman of the British Wool Research Association), the Director-General of Agriculture (Dr C. J. Reakcs), the chairman of the Research Council (Mr G. Shirtcliffe), the principal of the Massey Agricultural/ College, and representa-tives-of the Sheep Owners’ Federation, the Farmers’ Union, the Research Department, the Board of Agriculture, and the Department of Agriculture. The requirements of the wool users and the aims of the sheep breeders were fullv discussed, and the following represented the main points emerging from the discussion, those appearing to be generally acceptable to those present: — (1) That in breeding wool the characteristics to bo aimed at. should bo (a) that in iieccos ..t liner than a 4S's average cornu 1.,c dominant aim should bo to mate progressively with a view to eliminating the admixture through the Jieceo .ofstho. coarse fibres; ui. a' ib-ce 'reached 48’s count or liner, length was of relatively little importance; tb; in the case of fleeces where tho average fibre would be classified as of a hG’s quality or below that, length of staple and lustre should predominate. (2) That a levy on the wool exported was desirable to establish ,a central Bind, to be used in the best interests of the wool-growing industry in a manner to be decided by a representative body to be appropriately constituted. It was contemplated that economic research and publicity on the extended, uses of wool would be commendable. (d) That technical research on independent lines as being now carried out in New Zealand on matters connected with the field of wool-growing should cover activity in New Zealand, while technical research hr wool manipulation should he done at Torn--don, .England. Thus overlapping would be avoided. (4) That an examination should be made of the incidence of the present freight rates on wool t products, - and the possibility of securing a reduction be considered. (5) That further special publicity, and propaganda be considered, by lire department—(a) to emphasise the desirability of proper skirting and britching ‘of llecoes before packing; (b) that for marking there should bo used only the fluid recommended by the British Research Association, which has been specially composed to ensure comolete dissolution in scouring; (c) that in packing wool the outside of the pack should be turned inside, thus ensuring the scam edges being outside; (d) that a general effort bo made to suppress spiral burr; (c) that inferior, rams ought to be slaughtered. (C) That a conference at regular periods of twelve months or less be held between representative bodies of woolgrowcrs concerned and the representatives in New Zealand of the wool manufacturing interests to discuss matters relating 1o wool production and wool quality in order to assist towards the growing of wool of types most suitable for the manufacturers in Great Britain and other countries.