MR FORBES IN BRADFORD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22628, 20 July 1935, Page 21

MR FORBES IN BRADFORD

FLAX WOOL PACKS INSPECTED A CIVIC LUNCHEON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) (By Air Mail.) LONDON, June 29. Mr Forbes was entertained at Bradford by the leading representatives of the wool industry. In the morning he attended a private conference with officials of various wool trade organisa tions, when many matters of interest, both to producers and the manufacturing side of the trade, were discussed. Afterwards he visited the premises of the Tyersal Combing Company, at Dick Lane Mills, Laisterdyke. The Prime Minister and his party were conducted round the various departments, and eaw the process of woolsorting, scouring, carding and combing, these being explained by Mr John 11 Binns, the managing director, Mr A, Sims, the chairman of the Tyersal Combing Company, and members of the staff. Mr Forbes inspected one of the first consignments of New Zealand wool to arrive in Bradford in a now packing for which several advantages are claimed. The new packs are made of New Zealand grown flax. It is claimed that they minimise, if not altogether obviate, the old trouble of vegetable fibres being transmitted to the wool and so marring the material during process. One of these new packs was opened, and though it is too early to pass opinion on the commercial value to the trade, satisfaction was expressed that the innovation appeared to be an improvement, and subsequent handling of the wool will be watched with the greatest interest. The Lord Mayor of Bradford entertained the New Zealand party at luncheon in the Town Hall. Among the plants and flowers sent specially from Lister Park for the decoration of the

hall was New Zealand flax. New Zealand lamb appeared on the menu, and all the other dishes bore names associated with the Dominion. PROFIT FOR BOTH SIDES.

Responding -to the toast oi “Our Guests,” proposed by the Lord Mayor, Mr Forbes spoke of the impressions which he had gained from various ceremonies he had attended in connection with the celebration of the King’s Silver Jubilee, and commented upon the wonderful display of loyalty and affection he had seen.

With regard to the wool textile trade, his own feelings were that growers would like to feel, after the wool sales, that prices improved so that importers were able to conduct business profitably. It was no satisfaction to know that, after good prices had been realised at the sales, values fell, because business could not be carried on satisfactorily unless there was profit for both sellers and buyers. Many classes of New Zealand wool had touched lower prices during the past few years than had ever been known before,'but the woolgrowers were determined to do their best to improve their wool and to get better prices for it.

Later, the visitors were taken for a motor run through the Dales to Bolton Abbey, where tea was taken at the Devonshire Arms. At night, Mr and Mrs Forbes were tiie guests of Mr Henry S. Clough, president of tiie Wool Industries Research Association at Redholt, Keighley. Other members of the party travelled to Leeds, and were visited at the Great Northern Hotel by the Lord Mayor (Alderman W. Hemingway), who accompanied them on a motor car drive around Leeds and district.