WOOL SUBSTITUTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21938, 23 October 1934, Page 5

WOOL SUBSTITUTES

SAMPLES REACH SYDNEY " A PRESENTABLE ARTICLE" LACK OF WARMTH-GIVING Samples have boon received in Sydney of fabrics manufactured in Germany from a mixture of wool and artificial fibre, states the Sydney Morning Herald. If the textiles in bulk arc as attractive as the samples they are a presentable substitute for tho genuine woollen article*, though lacking the wearing, and warmth-giving capacity of tho latter. Probably no person would prefer the mixture fabric in place of pure woollens, but when finance compels a restriction in imports the new production appears to fill tho necessity. It is reported to stretch when wet, but in colour and general appearance it "passes muster." It consists of a mixture of 50 i«r cent each of "Vistra" fibre, and wool which, when combined, is called "Wollstra." A proposal is afoot to form a large concern for the establishment of its production in 'large quantities in Germany. The risk of that proposed investment, however, is not likely to bo undertaken unless permanent regulations are made to restrict wool imports, and a decision on that question is reported to depend upon what arrangements Germany is able to make in regard to reciprocal trado with tho countries from which she has in the past freely bought raw material. At tho present time wool is cheaper than tho artificial fibre, and the latter is only being used because monetary circumstances necessitate such action. Last January when wool was costing advanced figures, "Vistra" was the cheaper. But it is now more costly than wool. Apparently tho European countries intend to take every possible means to force the nations producing primary products to provide balancing trade by importing manufactures from their customers. Apart from that aspect, the use of "Vistra" indicates that artificial fibres are likely to prove a restraining influence on wool prices. If tho latter get too high in the future, the substitute fibres will probably be extensively used in order to keep tho price of goods within certain limits.