MR. FORBES’ TOUR

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 26 June 1935, Page 7

MR. FORBES’ TOUR

Official Visits to Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield

INTEREST IN WOOL INDUSTRY FREE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS Pteaa Association— By Electric Telegraph Copyright). Received 11 a.m. to-day. LONDON, June 25. The R't. Hon. G. W. Forbes returned to London last night after official visits to Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield. At each city he was 'ai civic guest. On Friday morning Mr Forbes had a round table conference with leading members of the British Wool Federation. and the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, when there was a free exchange of views on matters relating to wool problems. General reference was made by the Bradford representatives to the increasing competition to which, crossbred wool in particular was subjected by synthetic textures, and the need for organised effort to protect and improve the position of'the Dominions’ wool industrv. Mr Forbes stated that investigations were in continuous progress in New Zealand to improve wool without detriment to the quality of fat lamb production. Other references -were made to the necessity for preventing the use of indelible marking fluids. Mr Forbes was then taken by Mr Arthur Sims over the up-to-date topmaking factory of Cooper Tnffit, which was built by the enterprise of two New Zealanders, Messrs Sims and Cooper. Here also Mr Forbes was shown samples of the new 1935 wool pack made from New Zealand flax. Prominent Bradford wool users expressed a keenness to give every possible 'assistance to the development of a suitable pack, but they must be satisfied the fibre would not get into the wool more than it did in the case of jute paeks Mr Forbes pointed out the great importance to New Zealand of developing new uses for flax, and he felt assured the Bradford people would give sympathetic consideration to the matter. Mr Forbes then attended a luncheon given in his honour by the Lord Mayor and corporation at the Town Hall. Afterwards he left by train for Leeds, where he was the guest of Mr H. S. Clough, chairman of the wool research organisation. Early on Tuesday morning he paid a visit of inspection to the Torridon wool research station, where he spent considerable time in ia.n inspection of laboratory work and discussions with wool experts, particularly in reference to investigations to Tender wool non-shrinkable, also a new fabric for motor car upholstery moqueffes and a new process for preventing the yellowing of white flannels. He was then the guest of the Lord Mayor and aldermen at luncheon at the Town Hall. Afterwards he left by car for Sheffield. On Monday visifs of inspection were paid to Walker and Hall’s cutlery works, and the various other works, including Hadfield’s famous iron and steel works, where sections of the new Molyneux dredge are being manufactured. Mr Forbes was the guest at a luncheon at the Town Hall of the Lord Mayor and aldermen. This was a particularly large and enthusiastic gathering, and the Prime Minister was presented with a magnificent case of cutlery inscribed as from the people of •Sheffield. Mr Forbes returned to London by the evening train. In his" speeches at various functions, Mr Forbes particularly stressed the great ' desirability of the fullest measure of inter-Empire trading, for only by disposing of her increasing output icould New Zealand extend her purchases. There could only be progress by increasing consumption and permitting la natural development of output.