WOOL RESEARCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22356, 1 September 1934, Page 24

WOOL RESEARCH

TO THE EDITOR.

Sin, —A determined attempt has been made by several sections of the New- Zealand Farmers’ Union, protesting against the proposed Government Bill for sheep and wool research by the placing of a levy of 4d per bale upon all wool exported or used for local consumption. I honestly think it would be more fitting for members of the Fanners’ Union and others to give every assistance to the Prime Minister’s scheme-, but draw his attention to the fundamental facts underlying the essential requirements—practical and scientific instruction and inspection to receive two-thirds of the expenditure, and one-third to college research, I unhesitatingly and confidently assert that w-ith drastic methods adopted by the proposed council by such an extremely efficient system there is not the faintest doubt about results. The breeding of our wools and the marketing of the wool would receive a high place of honour with the world’s w-00l buyers. Let woolgrowers remember that in our Prime Minister we have a man, a highly efficient expert in the pastoral industry, who has had his eyes opened at the terrific pace rayon is gaining upon wool. Every foreign country i s aiming to supplant wool; even in England they have to keep pace in turning out large quantities of rayon. Germany frankly states she will soon be independent of any foreign w-001, and with her ow-n clip, and super rayon will supply the nation’s demands. We have within the last few years awakened to the immense possibilities of the rayon industry, now tlut artificial silk leads the way. The fact is that it is a textile w-oven into marvellous strength. The microscope shows that it is made of fibres. Nature has made the. strength of the oak tree and the firmness of mahogany. First we made paper, then we made synthetic leather, now wo are making artificial, silk, which has come to stay. Let me remind our woolgrowers rayon has secured the lion’s share of the hosiery industry; it constitutes more than onethird of ladies’ dress materials and underclothing; one silk thing suggests another. Wc have to note that the good and reliable yarns are rapidly taking ascendency over poor quality stuff which for a time threatened to bring the w-hole industry into disrepute. Cellulose is wonderful; the beauty of it, so to speak, is that it can be made chemically from almost any old thing, a fabric w-ith its ow-n virtues and characteristics; and quite capable of holding its own. Rayon manufacturers are bent upon securing a better name, and when this name is chosen the new yarn can take its. place with cotton, wool, and silk as a basic yarn. In Australia, also in this Dominion, qualified experts arc engaged ferreting out all suitable timbers, grasses, etc., as to their suitability for tl\e rayon industry. Writing as a practical sheep farmer possessing scientific knowledge of our industry, I believe wo can at this juncture hold up the onward march of rayon, therefore it is essential that we cut out this whine and grasp a firm hold of the assistance that can ho given ns by supporting the Prime Minister’s Sheep and Wool Improvement Bill now- before the House. I will say candidly, let any man claiming himself to be ,-in authority on sheep breeding pay visits to the so-called stud ram sales held throughout the Dominion, and he will get bis eyes opened at the high percentage of scrub animals offered to the pastoralists. Inspection o i the wool bins in our leading stores during the wool sales season reveals in the crossbreds lines outstanding evidence of breeding of a poor type; look ever the second pieces! Facts speak which no man can coyer up. Therefore let us face the situation squarely. I maintain there is every hope, of our wcolgrowing industry becoming highly improved under the Prime Minister’s scheme, with that special alteration attended to. This in-

dustry must follow the rules that govern all other industries. Research can help mostly by assisting individuals to think out their own problems, by the help of qualified practical and scientific experts.— I am, etc., W. Alexander.Dunedin, August 30.