NEW WOOLPACKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22416, 25 August 1947, Page 3

NEW WOOLPACKS

BOARD WATCHFUL NEXT SEASON’S NEEDS NO DOUBLE-DUMP CHANGE “Arrangements are now in (rain to see that the imported woolpacks will arrive in ample time for next season's clip.'’ states an extract from the annual report ol the New Zealand Wool Board, referring to the orders placed for 800,000 packs from India in addition to the 200.000 to be manufactured at Foxton. “Distribution of both imported and locally-manufactured woolpacks will be controlled by the Jute Emergency Committee, using the normal trade channels with a view to seeing that an equitable distribution is made to all users,’’ continues the report. Measures had been taken by the Government, as a result of pressure from the board to make available permanent housing at Foxton to encourage additional labour to materially increase the output of woolpacks from that mill. Credit was due. stated the report, to the Government for the prompt manner in which it had handled that aspect of the question. Weights of Bales. “The implementing of this order resulted in congestion' in all sections of the industry in the handling of wool from tnc growers' sheds right through to shipping,” said the report in reference to the rescinding of the wool packing control order. “Apart from the additional woolpacks required, the whole work of marketing the clip was slowed up. No increase in the weight of double-dumps of wool could bo secured and the position remains that the order issued by the Waterfront Industry Commission restricting the weight of double-dumps of wool to 6SOlb gross is still in force.” Levy on Wool

“In view of the increased scope of the work being carried out by the international Wool Secretariat overseas, and the steady expansion of the board's activities in New Zealand, it has been necessary to increase the levy on wool,” states another extract from the report.

“All wool produced in New Zealand now bears a levy of 2s per bale. Is per fadge and 4d per bag or sack. The Wool Industry Act has been amended so that a levy can also be collected on the wool content of all sheepskins exported from New Zealand.” Shearing’ Classes The question of training shearers has been under consideration with the object of evolving a plan to cover the whole of New Zealand. It was stated that the National Service Department had convened meetings of wool-growers in various districts to discuss the problem and a survey of the whole position had been completed. It was hoped that the details of the scheme would be available for the meeting of the electoral committee. Dispersal of Stud Flocks The question of the dispersal of stud flocks had come under the notice of the board during the year, the report continued, and representations had been made to the Government in an endeavour to retain stud flocks for the industry. The dispersal of a number of the flocks was causing general concern and although it was realised that sub-divi-sion of properties for rehabilitation was necessary, substantial reductions in the breeding of stud sheep would have serious consequences.