Inspect Research Work At Dunedin

Northern Advocate, 25 June 1946, Page 4

Inspect Research Work At Dunedin

(P.A.) DUNEDIN. This Day. The members of the New Zealand Wool Board and the sheep and wool research advisory committee set up by the board under the Wool Industry Act arrived in Dunedin yesterday to inspect work being carried out at the University of Otago by the New Zealand woollen mill owners’ research committee. The purpose of the advisory committee is to co-ordinate research work at present being carried on throughout New Zealand. Mr W. Horrobin, deputy-chairman of the board, said research had been functioning at various agricultural research stations and through the Woollen Mill Owners' Association, and it was felt that there was insufficient coordination of effort, while the lack of funds had also been a handicapping factor. FIRST OF KIND The new body was the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and it was hoped that, with the examination of the work being carried on throughout New' Zealand in regard to the raw fibre manufacturing side and animal husbandry, a programme of coordination of research work could be implemented. "It is highly desirable," Mr Horrobin said, "that the closest liaison should be maintained between this country, Australia and Great Britain in research work.

"The Wool Board is procuring a puppet show from Great Britain displaying the latest types of fine woven fabric to show the people of New Zealand tire possibilities of research and investigation.

“Both to meet the public demand and to counter the inroads of synthetic materials, we must be in a position to apply the latest methods of manufacture of fine woven materials or to ensure the importation of those materials. PRODUCERS' VOICE

"The Wool Commission, a subsidiary of the London joint organisation, is now in operation and, while having definite and specific duties,in the joint disposal scheme, is working in complete harmony with the industry’s representatives and the New Zealand Wool Board:

"The Wool Disposal Commission in New Zealand acts as agent and administrator for the parent body in London. The Wool Board continues as the representative and voice of the producing industry."

The members of the beard and the committee will leave on Wednesday morning for Christchurch, and will visit all research points and agricultural colleges in New Zealand to see the work being done and to classify it in order of importance to the industiy.