NATURAL WOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23805, 11 May 1939, Page 16

NATURAL WOOL

CAN NEVER BE MATCHED THE GROWERS’ OPPORTUNITY “I make the deliberate statement that the wool fibre will never be matched by any artificial fibre. The synthetic chemist is up against an impossibility. I have no hesitation in stating (hat 1 can convince any scientist, of this fact by a few moments in the laboratory,” staled Mr A. F. Barker, ex-professor of textile at tl]e University of Leeds, when speaking in Melbourne recently. Mr Barker is a man who has had as wide experience of artificial fibres as anyone in England. The Price Factor “ Having witnessed everything that has happened with reference to the introduction of these fibres,” he said, “1 can say that none, whether varied in diameter, or length, or both, will ever be produced with the qualities and particular efficiencies of wool.” After pointing out the many and varied possibilities of wool in contrast with the restricted possibilities of the artificial product, Mr Barker continued: “ Of course, there is the question of price. When in Canton, little more than 18 months ago, I was approached by a German-Japanese firm with reference to the manufacture of staple fibre in China. The whole of the plans were submitted to me, and along with them a calculation which showed that in Japan the staple fibre could be placed on the market for something under 5d a pound; and, do not forget that, in comparing with wool, the comparison must be y/ith the clean, scoured fibre. Valuable Properties “ Is it not, therefore, astonishing that the artificial fibre has not swept the natural product off the market years ago? ” asked Mr Barker, and added: “The natural fibre, obviously, has valuable properties which the artificial product does not possess, and it remains with the wool manufacturers to develop these properties to the greatest advantage, and with the wool-grower to give the manufacturer the fibre he requires at the cheapest possible price. Here is the way of saving the wool industry.” Among other suggestions made byMr Barker was that growers should work more closely in collaboration with the wool manufacturers and produce those wools which the manufacturers know, from experience, cannot be matched by any synthetic fibre, and for which there is a steady demand, or for which the fashions of the day are calling.