WOOL RESEARCH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4844, 12 May 1936, Page 4

WOOL RESEARCH.

The Australian Commonwealth Government has decided to impose a levy of one shilling a bale on wool, the proceeds to be utilised to establish a fund for research work and to advertise the virtues of wool. There is little doubt that the wool industry is seriously imperilled by the manufacture of synthetic wool. Most of the Continental countries are straining every effort to become independent of the raw material. Although some success has been obtained in this way, it has been found that the artificial article has not the full qualities of wool. At the same time the experimental work is still being carried on, and each year the menace to the wool industry is becoming more apparent. This fact is recognised in Australia, the United Kingdom and South Africa, and these countries propose to work together in a wool research and publicity campaign. New Zealand is vitally interested in this matter. Last season the wool cheque for the Dominion was close on £10,000,000, the average per bale being £l3 6s lOd. A levy of one shilling a bale would not be a heavy handicap for the grower to combat the danger of the synthetic article. The Coalition Government tried to prevail on the growers to agree to a small levy for this purpose, but the suggestion did not meet with any enthusiasm, and the matter was allowed to lapse. This was partly due to the low prices being received. Now that prices have improved, the subject of a levy should have further consideration. Such a levy would be a sound investment by raising the standard of quality and establishing a system of publicity. The advertising of our dairy produce and meat has done much to increase sales in the United Kingdom. So far as wool is concerned publicity must be on different lines—to bring home to the people the valuable attributes of natural wool as against the artificial article. Scientific research may help the grower to breed the best meat and wool animal, and raise the quality all round. We are living in a world of keen competition. Other countries are applying science to every industry, and New Zealand, with so much at stake, cannot afford to remain apathetic in regard to its wool industry.