STAPLE FIBRE POPULAR

Southland Times, Issue 24113, 30 April 1940, Page 5

STAPLE FIBRE POPULAR

Serious Danger To New Zealand

CONSUMPTION IS DOUBLED

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, April 28.

The use of staple fibre as a substitute for wool is growing to such an extent that it is feared it will threaten serious consequences for Australia and New Zealand after the war. • The International Wool Secretariat recently provided the trade with most disturbing figures. For instance, the total world production of staple fibre for 1939 equalled the total scoured wool production for the whole of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Argentine and Uruguay for 1939. The United Kingdom production and the United States consumption of staple fibre were both doubled last year. It is certain that the war has increased the use of artificial wool many times over.

Italy, Japan and Holland have intensified production of substitutes. Business letters from Sweden say that Germany has now entirely eliminated wool from fabrics which are supposed to be semi-wool when ordered by foreign buyers. One big American mill is even producing blankets containing 85 per cent, staple fibre. One of the most disturbing aspects of the position is the development of artificial wool sales in the United Kingdom, where powerful combines, notably Courtauld’s are pushing its production most energetically. Tailors all over the United Kingdom are being bombarded with most attractive samples of suitings containing as much as 90 per cent, staple fibre. It is understood that the Wool Control’s policy regarding the issue of prices and release of supplies to neutral States has been clarified the satisfaction of the Australian and New Zealand representatives. Shipments from Australia and New Zealand are apparently coming at a remarkably high rate. New Zealand House in a statement points out that the high prices reported to have