WOOL INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 304, 21 November 1936, Page 4

WOOL INDUSTRY

GOOD SEASON PROSPECTS. RESEARCH AND PUBLICITY. Fifteen years ago Mr Bernard E. H. Tripp, a South Canterbury pustoralist and a past president of the Canterbury Sheepowners’ Union, suggested that a. levy should be made on wool to provide funds for research and propaganda to assist the .industry. This week he returned to New Zealand from a visit to England, well pleased that his original scheme, which lie had consistently advocated both in New Zealand and abroad, has now developed and promises rich results. Mr Tripp 6aid the Government could be congratulated on adopting a levy on wool for research and publicity work, which was greatly wanted throughout the world. Australia had passed legislation which would bring in about £75 000 a year for the purpose. The New Zealand levy would realise £15,000. South Africa had already adopted a, levy up to Is a bale, and lie thought, that the Argentine would fall into line. Good funds should thus be established. and it was possible that there would be unified work in the direction indicated, although details had not been decided upon. Manufacturers in England had offered to join in tho scheme, and he was certain tha.t by nroper organisation a very large market could he developed for wool. Such countries as Russia and China were potentially large buyers, the demand from China being already in process of development. "Wonderful research work was e.lrendv being done at Torridon. near Leeds. AVonllen garments were being produced which would not shrink and which were smooth to the touch. Much more work could he done at Torridon with increased subsidies. Artificial wool had been pushed and advocated all over the world at the expense of wool. It bad gained a footing in the market because there had been no ef feotive pronaganda for wool, but that de f ect would be remedied. The outlook for wool in tlm reniiw season was very good. Praefical'v a ll countries were short of wool. and. if finance could he arranged. t*ho Con tinental countries should be buyers.