THREAT TO WOOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 17

THREAT TO WOOL

GERMAN SUBSTITUTE EFFECT ON DOMINION TRADE COMMISSIONER'S CLAIM UTILISATION MAY BE MADE The possible effect upon the export 0 f wool from Australia and Now Zealand if the manufacture of woolstra undertaken seriously by Germany vas stressed yesterday by Mr. Lars G, Brundahl, trade commissioner for the Leipzig Fair, who is returning to Sydney after a visit to Europe, where j, e investigated the various synthetic products that are now being manufactured largely in Germany. Mr. Brundahl said that tho chief substitutes consisted of petrol and benzine from brown coal, artificial rubber, nitrates, and most important of all as regards New Zealand—woolstra. This substitute for wool, which consisted of a mixture of cotton, fibres from waste products and -10 per cent of wool, was B on' well on the course to perfection, anil the progress made in its manufacture had been very satisfactory to all concerned Reaction Upon Export "If the manufacture of this substitute is undertaken seriously by Germany, it will react on the export of Australian and New Zealand wool," said Mr. Brundahl. " Although woolstra is only in its primary stages, if developed, it will revolutionise the market and have the same effect as artificial silk has had on real silk. It wears well, has the same appearance and weight as ordinary wool, and in time will be produced at a cheap rate." Mr. Brundahl added that the situation which might develop as a result of intensive production of woolstra was viewed seriouslj' by the representatives of the New Zealand Government in London, who had made a keen study pf this new product. .

" It is not Germany's wish to proceed with the manufacture of this substitute, provided she can place her products in fair exchange for wool," continued Mr. Brundahl. " She does not wish to compete with your secondary industries, but only to supply those lines that New Zealand cannot manufacture."

Referring to the production of artificial rubber, which contains a small percentage of scrap rubber, Mr. Brundahl said that already it had given a different aspect to the world market, and would have a great effect on the world's supplies. As far as synthetic nitrates were concerned, they were being shipped to places as far away as China, and had made a difference in the export statistics of Chile, the principal source of nitrates. Supply of Fuel Air. Brundahl stated that at the present time Germany was supplying approximately half her motor fuel needs by the production of petrol and benzine from brown coal, and would soon be independent of outside sources of supply. There were large deposits of brown coal near Leipzig, which would last for a long time. The industry was of great importance to the country, because of the large number of byproducts. "We are very anxious that New Zealand should exhibit at the fair, as we consider it is the world's best market for displaying the primary products of any country," said Mr. Brundahl, describing the spring trade fair at Leipzig, which he attended at the beginning of the year. " In addition to an enormous number of buyers, there are many thousands of foreign visitors to whom facts concerning New Zealand would be of interest." Air. Brundahl added that the fair this year was the best-attended since the war. The're were 8200 exhibitors, and 250,000 buyers were present from all parts of the world. Among them were about 50 buyers from Australia and New Zealand, who were very satisfied with the business they had done. German manufacturers were very anxious to do business with the Dominion, and particularly to negotiate trade in such primary products as wool.