WOOL-SCOURING WORKS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14840, 18 February 1919, Page 2

WOOL-SCOURING WORKS.

IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRY: (i^tei 1 r>ress Association.) ... CHRisTiCHURCH; last night. That the Freezing Works and the Allied Trades Industrial Union are alive to the necessity of encouraging the woolscouring industry was demonstrated by t.lio evidence of two of its representatives before the Industries Commission. The first was W. Purvis, who contended that the industry, with the assistance of a little legislation, could be mad© one of the most important m tl»« Dominion, ' and would give employment to hundreds of returned soldiers. In the past it had been the custom to export wool unscoured whatever its condition or quality. Previously fhe employers tfad been handicapped by the Ifick of machinery, which necessitated drying outside. The uncertain weather I m New Zealand therefore prevented opI erntions on all extended' sdale rft>w, but j with the improvement m machinery, which could be -made m the Dominon, this argument as to outside drying did not operate. During the past five years an average of '428,557 bales of greasy Wool per annum liad been exported, and ail average of 49,503 bales of scoured wool. ■ He estimated a further 100,000 balea were suitable for scouring m the Dominion. On. this amount the saving of freight by the loss of 40 per cent, of grease and dirt fx*om the scoured wool would be £200,000. Another argument m favor of a larger proportion of Dominion wool being scoured here was a saving m deterioration. Some classes of wool. in ordinary time* would not be easily marketed, and had' to be held for a long time. The grit m it affected the quality of . the -Wool m -time, a. factor that scouring .here would.-p revent. The chairman, asked witjness to f ormuh late and draw put a scheme to submit to the . committee later, with reference to the, best manner m which the Government . could give the desired assistance.

'F; C. Ellis, secretary Of the Union, said that the wool drying industry would absorb a large number of men, including returned- .soldiers^' if it were extended. Very' little special training was needed except m the case of sorters, but these men could be trained m technical schools.