PRESENCE OF BURR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26793, 9 June 1948, Page 5

PRESENCE OF BURR

NEW ZEALAND WOOL CRITICISM FROM YORKSHIRE INSUFFICIENT FINER TYPES OFFERING N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 10 p.m. LONDON, June 8. Criticism of burr in New Zealand wool, regret at the virtual impossibility of securing sufficient supplies of the Dominion’s finer types of wool, and satisfaction that the London sales were now receiving a greater measure of support were some of the points made by members of the Yorkshire wool trade in candid, informal discussions at Leeds with Mr N. R. Jameson, chairman of the New Zealand Wool Board, Mr W. Horrobin, deputy chairman, and Mr R. G. Lund, New Zealand’s representative on the International Wool Secretariat. All sides of the Yorkshire wool industry were represented, including Mr Walter Ward, chairman of the British Wool Federation, Mr F. Haigh, chairman of the wool textile delegation, and Professor J. B. Speakman. head of the textile industry department at Leeds University. High Standard Required New Zealand wool, it was agreed, had regained its high pre-war standard, but several speakers commented on the appearance of burr and asked whether it could be eliminated or checked. Where buyers could once give an assurance to manufacturers that New Zealand wool was free from burr, they now had to be most careful before committing themselves. Grass seed, it was stated, was also complained of and in some respects it was worse than burr. There was general comment on the lack of New Zealand fine merino wool to-day compared with pre-war days. One manufacturer remarked that for certain purposes it was the best in the world and that he was willing to pay Is a pound more for it than for other types of merino. “There still is, and is likely to he for some time, considerable demand and use for the finer types of New Zealand wool,” he said. “It will always command relatively higher prices than those from Australia or anywhere else and I think it is worthy of some attention.” Many speakers welcomed the reappearance of New Zealand wool at the London wool sales. “If you can encourage supplies it will be to the manufacturers’ advantage,” was one comment. “Wool in London is far more valuable than it is in New Zealand to-day. London is the most important spot market not only for Britain but also for the Continent.” Another request was that there should be a narrower classification of medium crossbred types. There was a tendency nowadays for New Zealand offerings to range from 46’s to 50’s. This meant that manufacturers often had to buy a wider range of types than they required. “We have to take, wool we don’t want in order to get the wool we need,” was one remark. Another speaker remarked that there was now an inadequate supply of longer and stronger types of New Zealand wool. He regretted this, and ob-

served that there, was "tremendous scope” for these types in the manufacture of carpets and furnishings. An increase would be welcomed.

A request was made for coarse, strong sappy-to-the-the-tip types. Their supply had been halved, but they were most useful for the manufacture of felts, and here again an supply would be welcomed. Merino Wool Fashionable

A word of praise was forthcoming for New Zealand fine cross_breds. A ready use was found for 52’s to 54 s types in the production of underwear, socks, and pullovers. In this respect it was observed that the wool trade was now passing through a phase where merino wool was very fashionable. This was due to various economic reasons and to the effects of rationing and coupons, but it was felt that there would undoubtedly be a sustained demand for finer types of crossbreds. This led Professor Speakman to remark that every kind of wool had its uses. The chief difficulty confronting the grower was that he never knew when the demand for a particular type would arise. The. professor wondered whether market research might be of some assistance in producing certain types of wool to meet the probable demand. Another Suggestion was that the British Wool Federation might form a committee to gather comment on New Zealand wool. This could be forwarded to growers through the secretariat, and could be mutually beneficial. Speakers ajso expressed their high regard for the work of, the secretariat and for the generous support given by New Zealand woolgrowers to the work of research.