SYNTHETIC FABRICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22198, 27 August 1935, Page 5

SYNTHETIC FABRICS

COMPETITORS OF WOOL CHECK UPON PRICES POSSIBLE FUTURE MENACE Artificial fibres are Considered by some to be a possible future menace to the use of wool, says the Sydney Morning Herald. Jn 1934, a total of 810,000,0001b. of rayon or artificial silk were produced in the world. The output has interfered with wool consumption, particularly in the hosiery trade and women's fabrics. Wool is not the only fibre which has felt its competition. Cotton and genuine silk have also been affected, probably to a greater degree than the sheep's staple. If fabrics such as NVollstra are improved to provide the wearing and warmth-giving capacity and the soft-handling comfort of woollen goods they will be a decided menace to the latter. Even in their present form artificial fibres are no doubt a checking force on rising wool prices, but, in spite of their extensive output, the world's clip continues to find consumers. One of the difficulties facing cloth producers is to secure figures for their products which conform to the cost or wool. An advance in the price of the latter cannot be readily passed on. That trouble largely arises from the system of standard prices which has arisen chiefly owing to the growth of chain stores. It is pointed out that a suit may be sold at 50s, and that is its fixed price, regardless of wool values. If the raw material becomes too costly the quality may eventually be reduced to enable the retention of the price quoted, but that is done with much reluctance. Unfortunately from one standpoint chain or multiple stores are increasing. They indulge in mass buying as well as mass selling and are in a position more or less to dictate prices to manufacturers, who consequently are compelled to keep a rigid eye on wool costs. In turn, the chain stores force individual traders catering for the lower-priced trade to adhere to fixed prices. The system, therefore, has its though it provides cheap goods for the public, and by that means encourages wool consumption. Further, if inventive genius succeeded in producing an artificial fibre akin to wool, it would supply a textile fibre at a cost which would not fluctuate to any degree. Production of it could be increased or decreased in accordance with requirements, as it is factory produced, and not dependent upon seasonal conditions. On that cf J it would admirably suit the standard j price traders.