WOOL CONSUMPTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22352, 25 February 1936, Page 5

WOOL CONSUMPTION

MEETING COMPETITION USE WITH ARTIFICIAL FIBRE NEW OUTLETS DEVISED Of late years the growth in the production of artificial fibres has given some concern to growers of wool, cotton and silk; but the sheep's staple available in the world and the output of cotton continue to find consumers, states a review issued by Winch- . combe, Carson, Limited,-Sydney. England, Japan and tho United utilised considerably more wool in 1935 than for many years. Tho New York cotton exchange recently estimated that world consumption of cotton has been running on a basis close to record levels. Perhaps artificial fibres exercise some check on tho price of natural fibros, but tho uso of the latter has gone on apace. In some ways the artificial product has helped tho use of wool and cotton. English manufacturers aro turning out underwear which consists to a great extent of staple fibre; but includes a proportion of dyed Merino wool. This gives a garment of natural colour, which is preferred,to white, and has a comfortable, smooth finish. Staple fibre * . is rayon cut into short lengths for the purpose of spinning into yarn in conjunction with wool or cotton, or by itself. That is one of many methods in which the artificial fibre is assisting to produce various textiles to attract public fancy. In other directions wool is finding uses which were not open to it years ago. Upholstery in motor-cars is one aspect in that regard. American advices quote a woollen mill obtaining an order for 10,000 yds. of automobile upholstery cloth, and that consumption is proceeding in most centres where motor-cars are turned out. Wool has retained most of its old uses, and has found new outlets which appear to have so far offset any ground it has lost through competing fibres. Satisfactory prices for wool are mainly a matter of world prosperity. Reduced supplies this season have been a factor in the values ruling, but 1935 provided advances in most other primary products, and rates for wool havo moved upward with them. Tho wool market has been so well tested during the past six months, not only in the sale of tho raw material, but right through to business in tops, yarns and fabrics, that the sale of the relatively limited quantity of the clip now available looks to be assured at gratifying figures. FIRMNESS OF MARKET NEW BUSINESS IN TOPS LONDON, Feb. » The firmness of the raw material ia bringing out new business in wool tops, especially Merinos, and the past week has been possibly the best since the ( New Year, There is a fairly sound, healthy position all round. Most topmakers find that, although big contracts are few, the stream of business represents a substantial aggregate, ! - "