WOOL IMPROVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21570, 16 November 1933, Page 6

WOOL IMPROVEMENT

PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT COMMITTEE TO TAKE EVIDENCE LEGISLATION MAY FOLLOW [Thom Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, November 15. The Prime Afinister informs your correspondent that the problem of the improvement of wool in the North Island is regarded as so important that the Government is prepared to legislate in order to assist the producers to organise the necessary measures to ensure a belter quality clip. A comprehensive statement on the subject was submitted. to the House ol Representatives last week by Mr Forbes, and this has been referred to the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee for consideration. This course,” explained the Prime Minister, “ will enable the committee to take evidence from producers, and particularly from those who have objections to the proposal.of a committee of wool-growers which met in Palmerston North last May. and determined that the time had arrived for a concerted effort to raise the standard of the sheep and wool of the North Island, and that the Government be asked to pass legislation enabling the imposition of not more than ,’kl per bale on all wool grown in Hie North Island, or in the dominion if the South Island wished to come into the scheme.” “The idea of the parliamentary inquiry,” added Air Forbes, ”is that the committee may bring down constructive proposals to the House. It may suggest some form of legislation, am) the Government under such circumstances would be quite prepared to introduce the necessary measure. Any scheme, to be workable, would involve some form of levy, which would require statutory sanction. J think that anyone reading the report must come to the conclusion that improvement is necessary, and that the wool-growers should participate in the movement to help themselves. The Government is also indirectly concerned, for-it wishes to see the product in the most favourable shape for marketing. When J last had the opportunity of visiting Bradford J took a persona) interest in this matter, and some points in which improvement, could he made in the coarser sorts of New Zealand wool were brought to n)y attention. I am convinced that we should put our house in order, and meet the requirements of the trade.”