THE WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18664, 21 March 1924, Page 10

THE WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

MATAURA MILL PROJECT.

"AN UNPROPITTOUS / TIME."

ASPECT OF EXPORT TRADE.

The projected erection of a woollen mill at Mataura has not failed^ to arouse the interest of Auckland business men directly concerned with the woollen industry. One well-known principal yesterday expressed the view that anyone starting a woollen mill now would be doing so at an unpropitious time. "The lack of competition during the war period," said this merchant, "has completely "vanished. To-day the Dominion's mills can absolutely meet all demands. As a matter of fact, the mills have overtaken all demands for all classes of woollen manufacture. At present there must be any number of looms standing idle throughout New Zealand." Largely in agreement with the foregoing view was that of another Auckland woollen merchant, who pointed out that at present most of the mills were working short time. Goods from the new Wanganui mill had, he said, not yet come on to the market. " But," proceeded this authority, ** I am not prepared to say that the present lack of demand is other than temporary and conceivably the quickening of demand with the approaching winter majf serve to justify this Mataura undertaking. By nature, the woollen trade should be the first secondary industry in the Dominion. The growth of the industry- mill by mill, should bring about a development of an export trade which some day New Zealand should be justly proud of."