THE WOOL LEVY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 182, 3 July 1936, Page 7

THE WOOL LEVY

SUPPORT FOR PRINCIPLE. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. WELLINGTON, July 2. The principle or a wool levy to provide funds for research and for propaganda to combat tiie competition of other textiles and synthetic fibres was unanimously approved at the annual meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society yesterday. During the discussion the Director-General of Agriculture (Mr A. M. Cockayne) announced that lie was at the moment endeavouring to finish the preparation of legislation dealing with a levy on wool. Discussion began on a remit from the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Association urging that a levy of a small amount per centum be made on all sales of raw wool for the purpose of subsidising research work at Torridon, England, for propaganda for the use of natural wool, and for circulating the result of research work among growers. Moving the remit, Mr R. R. Laid-1 law said the Kaikoura association j thought a percentage basis fairer than j a levy per bale. It would bring in the speculator as well as the grower. Thera

was no reason why all should not contribute. The remit was seconded by Mr H. J. Thompson, who represented the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr 0. T. Evans (Hawarden) said he was quite in accord with the principle of a levy, but held that research work should be done here. The Dominion should have its own research station so that breeders and researen workers could confer. No good purpose would be served by sending the funds obtained from a levy to England. BILL IN PREPARATION. “Just at present I am trying to finalise a Bill dealing with the question ol a levy on wool,” said the DirectorGeneral of Agriculture. “The main principle of the Bill will bo a provision authorising the appointment of a properly-accredited committee to have j control of the funds brought in by the levy and their diversion into any clian-

nels considered proper in the direction of research and propaganda.” Sir William Hunt said there were

three phases of the problem—the growing of wool, the manufacture of wool, i and the proper sale of woollen goods. Research in connection with the better manufacture of wool could now be carj ried out at such places as Torridon, _ I and it was just as important to the _' producer as the manufacturer to have f I proper methods. An immense amount , Jof propaganda was going on against | wool by other textile and rayon inter- . j ests. The money for propaganda in . I favour of wool should he spent in the . | large countries which were consumers of wool products. ' ] After other delegates had expressed their views the Kaikoura remit was I withdrawn, and discussion procedeed | on one from the Eastern District Coun- : j oil, as follows:—“That this meeting is in favour of a wool levy for pro- . paganda and research, an cl that the j eominitee of control be eoiyposed of two sheep breeders from each island and a representative of the Department of Agriculture.” In moving the remit, Sir William Perry said there was no doubt that the propaganda against wool in the Old Country was serious. Many of the j ! statements went further than propaganda—they were untrue. He understood Australia and South Africa were

finding money to carry out extensive propaganda' at Home. Tt was time something was done by New Zealand. ‘ Mr L. Maclean (Hawke’s Ray), who I seconded the remit, said that the sooner they took action the better for the sheep farther, The president, Mr L. J. Wild (Feilding), said he did not agree that the committee suggested in the remit would he the most suitable to administer the funds. He suggested that they affirm ] the principle of the levy only. Mr E. Averill, who represented the Ryeland Sheep Breeders’ Association, said the people who found the money should have absolute control of the funds. Mr A. N. Grigg (Ashburton) moved hv way of amendment that an addition he made to the remit to provide for the nomination by sheep breeders of the four representatives of breeders on the committee. Mr Evans seconded I the amendment, and the remit was carried in amended form by 24 votes to 10.

VALUE OF RESEARCH. “it is profitless to leave fundamental research on wool production to other countries, older or bigger than New Zealand,” said Dr. F. W. Dry, of Massey Agricultural College, in an address on problems of wool growing in New Zealand at yesterday's conference of the Royal Agricultural Society. “Even if the work were being done elsewhere,” added Dr. Dry, “there would always be the lag in the percolaI tion of new knowledge, and the attempt to omit original thinking is liable to bring its own reward. Actually, in other parts of the world, n.s in New Zealand, research in wool production is not far advanced, and the emphasis elsewhere is frequently differently placed. From a business point of view it is safer to do too large a share of the world's wool research than too little, and in this sheep-run beneath the Southern Cross it should be a. source of pride to be the spear-head in the attack on wool production problems.” Dr. Dry suggested that cooperation between New Zealand and British research should be on a solid and organised basis. The. activities of the Wheat Research Institute were reviewed in an address by the director of the-institute, Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf. After a. long discussion last night the conference carried a remit submitted bv the president, Mr L. J. Wild, approving the Live Stock Improvement Bill as.drafted after the annual conference in 1934. A vote was called for on the remit, which was agreed to by 26 votes to seven.