WOOL ADVERTISING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22830, 14 March 1936, Page 16

WOOL ADVERTISING

—*. FINANCING THE CAMPAIGN (From Oub Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, February 15. Promoters of the plan for beginning a wool advertising campaign have been greatly encouraged by the news from Australia that the Woolgrowers' Council and the Graziers' Federal Council had, at a joint meeting, passed a resolution in favour of a levy for publicity purposes. One suggestion is that there should be a levy of not more than one shilling per bale (says the Textile Mercury and Argus). Seeing that the Australian clip is round about 3,000,000 bales, this would yield £150,000. A similar levy in New Zealand would add another £35,000. This looks a very handsome total, but worked out per pound of wool it becomes infinitesimal. There are 3001 b of wool in an Australian bale, and the levy per pound would, therefore, be a 300th part of a shilling. Now it remains to be seen how the wool textile industry of this country will react to tins lead from the raw material end. It was far from easy to get through the levy scheme in support of scientific research, but the trade seems more amenable today to co-operative effort than it used to'be. There is a growing feeling that something should be done to counteract the well-organised and very effective publicity in the interests of competing fibres. In the past there has been a tendency to assume that everybody knows all about the splendid qualities of wool, from the point of view of hygienic clothing, but it may not be wise to take too much tor granted. A good story can be told about wool and the virtues of wool, but to be effective it needs something more than a spasmodic effort. Sustained publicity over a number of years is necessary it the movement is to be worth while. A substantial central fund and expert direction is necessary. The growers have given a bold lead. It is now for the wool users and selling organisations to show their hand.