Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, MONDAY, JAN. 9, 1928. WOOL'S COMPETITORS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16542, 9 January 1928, Page 6

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, MONDAY, JAN. 9, 1928. WOOL'S COMPETITORS

During the past year or .two there has been a good deal of .anxiety on the part of those connected with wool production and marketing as to the possible effect of the rapidly developing manufacture of artificial textiles. Progress in the utilisation of artificial silk and artificial wool, which are tho product of wood fibre, since 1925 has been very' steady' and great industries have sprung up at Home and on tho Continent, .turning out huge quantities of the new staple. Early' in .1926 Mr. Samuel Courtauld, head of the firm which has made greatest strides in tho new' manufacture, and has incidentally amassed millions 'thereby, declared at-the annual meeting of his company': “We doubt whether this artificial .w'ool is ever likely to develop into an important business.” And he added: “Should it do so, wo should find no difficulty in largely expanding production at short nofice. Apparently' Ihe artificial wool business has developed for it is reported that, very' considerable quantities are being sent to Yorkshire and other destinations. During the last year several new artificial silk factories in England havo reached the production stage, and doubtless there are others in parts of Europe. A writer who has spent many' years in close .touch witli the textile industries in Manchester and the Midlands has been looking into the matter of this great competitor with wool, and in an article published by' an Australian contemporary he ventures the opinion that pastoralists need not fear a reduced demand for wool in consequence of the development of the new industry. His observations are interesting ' and should ’ prove reassuring ,to our woolgrowers. His enquiries go' to show that probably not more than six per cent- of'ihe ordinary' woof consumption has been lost, and it is generally' agreed that the loss which undoubtedly has taken place’ has been made up by the growing demand for wool from other quarters of the ivorld. “1 have, therefore, no hesitation in saying,” he adds, ‘that the wool grower need fear little from the artificial fibres. By this I do not wish to convey the idea that -wool is not being displaced. There is no doubt that it is, but the growing demand for clothing in Oriental countries is making up the deficiency'. Nevertheless, it would be unsatisfactory' to .the woolgrower if he were to feel that the proportion of w'ool used in the clothing of the people was being reduced on account of the introduction of artificial fibres. At present his "fears on this score are to some extent justified, but there is reason to believe that the position will rapidly' change, and that no permanent damage will be done.” In order to examine the reasons for .this, the writer explains the uses to which the artificial fibres are being put. Artificial silk and arti : ficial wool, the two being almost synonymous terms, and in a sense equally' misleading names, arc primarily luxury fabrics, or to put. the matter in a better way, are substitutes for luxury clothing. They owe their position to their beauty and no one will assert that the latest products are not beautiful and most attractive to tho potenital buyer. In the case of cotton, it is not impossible that with a reduction in price and an improvement in quality, many' articles hitherto exclusively made from the older textile may in future bo/made from artificial silk or wool. In the case of the woqllcn industry-, however, tho artificial fibres arc in effect decorative only- and whenever the percentage in a union fabric is increased it results in a loss of the essential woollen characteristics of the garment. The percentage of tho artificial fibre is, therefore, strictly limited. Nevertheless, the additional attraction given by the small percentage of artificial fibre added to .the wool is sufficient to make tho garment, bn it underwear or overwear, a very- much better seller. It may be upheld, therefore, that whatever loss is temporarily occasioned to the wool trade will bo rapidly regained by the additional sales of mixture fabrics resultant from the added beauty of the artificial fibre. It will be found that tho artificial fibre is a handmaiden rather than a competitor of the real article. Where cross dye effects are required, it is said that they can in no way be better obtained than by the mixture of wool with artificial fibres. The chemical resistances are so variable as to allow of the comparatively- cheap production of most delightful effects, and one manufacturer after another is taking up tho trade in Yorkshire. In men's wear there has been a rapid increase in the use of artificial fibres in conjunction with both wool and cotton. Summing up, the writer puts the position as follows: “(1) The artificial fibre industry is now definitely established, and it is utterly- useless to attempt to strip its progress. (2) The woollen manufacturere does not regard the artificial fibres in any- light except as auxiliary. (3) In the first flush of desire on the part, of the public it may be anticipated from past experience that the use of tho artificial fibres will be overdone. This may- result in a temporary slackening of demand for wool. (4) The final result insofar as it can be foreseen now is .that the artificial fibres will so increase the attractiveness of tho woollen, materials as either to compensate any loss or actually result in larger sales. (:'•) The desire of women of all countries for lighter clothing must be considered. (6) The-danger to the cotton industry is infinitely greater than in the case of wool.” The manner in which wool is maintaining its position at the latest sales in Australia and New . Zealand confirms- the conclusions of the writer, and should give confidence and encouragement to all engaged in the production of the natural staple, which, on account of its warmth and dur-, ability possesses an intrinsic worth not to be* attained, by its competitors.