MR. FORBES AT HOME

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 163, 26 June 1935, Page 5

MR. FORBES AT HOME

Plea for Intra-Empire Trade WOOL-TRADE CONSULTATIONS Tour of Industrial Centres (By Telegraph-Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received 26, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 25. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes returned to London last night after official visits to Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield. At each city he was a civic guest. On Friday morning Mr. Forbes had a round-table conference with leading members of the British Wool Federation arid Bradford Chamber and 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 to the need for organised effort to protect and improve the position of the Dominion’s wool industry. 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.

THE NEW WOOLPACK. Mr. Forbes was then taken by Mr. Arthur Sims over the up-to-date topmaking factory of Cooper Triffit, 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 woolpack made from New Zealand flax. Prominent Bradford wool-users expressed keenness to give every possible assistance to the development of a suitable pack, but said they must be satisfied that the fibre would not get into the wool more than it did in the case of jute packs. Mr. Forbes pointed out the great importance to New Zealand of developing new uses for flax, and said he felt assured that the Bradford people would give sympathetic consideration to tho matter. Mr. Forbes then attended a luncheon given in his honour by the Lord Mayor and Corporation at tho Town Hall.

Afterwards he left by train for Leeds, where he was the guest of Mr. H. 8. Clough, chairman of the woolresearch organisation. Early on Tuesday morning he paid a visit of inspection to tho Torridon -wool-research station, where he spent considerable time in inspection of laboratory work and discussious with wool experts, particularly in reference to investigations to render wool non-shrinkable. Ho discussed new fabrics for motor-car upholstery, moquettes and a new process for preventing the yellowing of white flannels. He was then tho guest of the Lord Mayor and aidermen at luncheon at the Town Hall. Afterwards he left by car for Sheffield. PRESENTATION OF CUTLERY. On Monday visits of inspection were paid to Walker and Hall’s cutlery works, the Trade Unionist Sheep Shears Co-operative Works, Burden and Ball’s works, and the famous iron-and-steel works at Hadfield where sections of the new Molyneux dredge are being manufactured. At Sheffield also Mr. Forbes was the guest, at a luncheon at the Town Hall, of the Lord Mayor and aidermen. 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. Tn his speeches at the various functions, Mr. Forbes particularly stressed the great desirability of the fullest measure of intra-Empire trading, for, he said, only by disposing of her increasing output could New Zealand extend her purchases. There could only be progress by increasing consumption and the permitting of the natural development of output.