Wool Substitutes Serious Threat To Australia, N.Z.

Northern Advocate, 29 April 1940, Page 6

Wool Substitutes Serious Threat To Australia, N.Z.

(Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 28. The use of staple fibre as a substitute for wool is growing to such an extent that it is feared it will threaten serious consequences for Australia and New Zealand after the war. The International Wool Secretariat recently provided the trade with most disturbing figures. For instance, the total world production of staple fibre in 1939 equalled the total scoured wool production for the whole of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Uruguay.

The 1939 United Kingdom production and the United States consumption of staple fibre both doubled last year. Germany Eliminates Wool. It is certain that the war has increased the use of artificial wool many times over. Italy, Japan and Holland have intensified the production of substitutes. Business letters from Sweden say that Germany has now entirely eliminated wool from fabrics which are supposedly semi-wool when ordered by foreign buyers. One big American mill is even producing blankets containing 85 per cent of staple fibre. One of the most disturbing .aspects of the position is the development of artificial wool sales in the United Kingdom. Powerful combines, notably Courtaulds, are pushing its production most energetically. Tailors in all parts of the United Kingdom are bombarded with the most attractive samples of suitings, containing as much as 90 per cent of staple fibre. Wool Control Policy Clarified. It is understood that the Wool Control’s policy regarding the issue of prices .and the release of supplies to neutrals has been clarified to the satisfaction of Australian and New Zealand representatives. Shipments from Australia and New Zealand are apparently coming at a remarkably high rate. New Zealand House, in a statement, points out that the high prices reported to have been receivd by South African growers are largely explained by the fact that South African prices are quoted on ,a clean, ungreasy basis. Australian and New Zealand farmers fared quite well pnder the United Kingdom bulk purchase, it was stated. Decisive steps ,are being taken to speed up the wool trade export drive on an unprecedented scale.