WOOL RESEARCH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17116, 23 November 1929, Page 9

WOOL RESEARCH

CO-ORDINATED EFFORT BRITISH EXPERT'S ADVICE CAPETOWN, October 8. It would seem that now is the psychological moment at which a co-ordin-ated effort for scientific work on wool production should be inaugurated, and alter tho ready reception which such proposals have hud from all sides of the industry, I feel sure that the matter will not be allowed to lie dormant anv longer.”

Tliis passage occurs in a report made to the Union Department of Agriculture by T)r. iS. G. Barker, Director of Research in tlie British Research Association for the -Woollen and Worsted Industries, Torridon, Leeds, who has just completed a tour of the Union.

“The position of the wool-producing industry to-day emphasises the need for co-ordination of tho farmer with the manufacturer,” says Dr. Barker. “It. is essential that a strong Jink he forged between the two, and this link must lie constructed on the firm basis >f scientific fact.

“After a lour of the various institutions serving the sheep-breeding industry under the aegis of the Government, and after meeting wool-growers’ associations, wool buyers, and numerous others interested in wool, I feel more convinced that scientific research should lie developed in the Union, vigorously, and on a practical basis, if South African wools are to maintain the high standard of uniformity of quality essential for meeting the increasing competition of artificial fibres suitable for textile purposes NATIONAL JN SCOPE

“Knowledge of the reai facts concerning local conditions of wool-produc-tion, together with the limitations that may he imposed upon the producer, must be thoroughly realised before any further progress can he made with certainty. Two things are outstanding—lack of adequate information of the precise requirements expected to lie present in a good manufacturing wool, and the keen desire of the producers and the industry to develop' new scientific methods to meet outside competition. “In all work of this sort however, it is essential that science should not ho merely an outside factor or service, but should form an integral part of tho structure oil the industry itself. It is obvious that, in South Africa, the effort, to insure the future of tlie industry must largely be made by tlie grower himself. No individual section could afford to do it, but by a big national scheme, involving all wool-producers, the necessary 1 funds could be provided.” A RESEARCH LA BUR ATOII Y ])r. Barker suggests the institution of a central wool research laboratory, and that the scientific development of wool should he fostered by university courses m sheep and wool. It is, however, essential to remember, lie adds, that the wool has ultimately to he used,by the manufacturer to meet the dictates of fashion and the market requirements. Close co-operation should, therefore, be maintained l with the British Research Association so that manufacturing needs, and the like, might be interpreted in a. practical way to tlie producer, full cognisance being taken of his limitations and of local conditions. “Throughout the whole tour,’’ concludes T)r. Barker, “f have been convinced of the high standard of efficiency maintained bv the sheep and wool officers of the Department of Agriculture, and T am confident that when wool research is properly established, Ibis high standard will again prevail.”