WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 37, 27 January 1932, Page 11

WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

REVIVAL IN AUSTRALIA. STIMULUS OF IMPORT BAN. The opinion that a revival in the woollen trade had definitely commenced was expressed by Mr. A. D. Wenzel, a prominent woollen merchant, of Melbourne, who was a through passenger to San Francisco by the Sierra on Saturday. "If there is only one industry in tho world which will experience an uplight in tho near future, I am sure that one will be the woollen industry,’’ said Mr. Wenzel. "The woollen industry in Great Britain has undoubtedly turned the corner, and an even more satisfying sign is tho fact that the curtailment of the Australian import trade has spurred our local manufacturing industry to fresh achievement. Mr. Lang is still an obstacle in the path of most Australian businesses, but in spite of that, both Sydney and Melbourne are showing wonderful activity.” Mr. Wenzel said the importation of woillons from Great Britain involved an additional levy of 120 per cent., and consequently only the highest class manufactures were imported. For the rest, Australia was relying on what tho country could produce. Tn that respect great strides had been made by the manufacturers, particularly in regard to women’s dress materials, which were being put out in an attractive form and in the very latest fashions. Suitings were also being made to compete on more than favourable terms with imported articles, and in the lower and medium grades of woollen manufacture Australia was entirely capable of supplying her own needs. "The keenest heads in Australia are of the opinion that we have touched bottom at last,” added Mr. Wenzel. "The woollen industry is now in a more satisfactory state than it has been for many years. We have palpably felt the effects of the British revival in

Australia, and, if the German situation can be adiusted there should be nothing to stop us forging ahead. I do not think we will enjoy anything i« the nature of a boom, but we must reap prosperity from the sure and steadv progress which has already commenced. The prides to the growers have improved in Australia, and, while I understand they ate still depressed in New Zealand, I think the time has come when growers and merchants should consider the question of adapting their produce to the needs of buyers.”