DANGER TO WOOL TRADE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 739, 12 August 1929, Page 10

DANGER TO WOOL TRADE

COMPETITION OF ARTIFICIAL FIBRES INTERESTING OPINIONS (AuatraJxan and 2V. Z. Press Association) LONDON, Saturday. A writer in the “Yorkshire Post” makes interesting remarks regarding the increasing competition of artificial fibres with wool. After quoting a statement by Mr Tout, president of the Australian Graziers* Association, that he does not think there is any danger of Australia’s losing the proud position of having the greatest wool markets of the world, the writer says:—“After reading a technical paper dealing with the future of artificial fibres, it is felt that Australia’s pride in her superiority in the wool markets is in serious danger of being undermined by the rapid advance in the manufacture of artificial fibre. It is a disturbing fact for Australia that the world production of artificial silk alone is now reputed to be equal to the clean-scoured content of the whole Australian clip.” Referring to the statement in “Dalgety’s Review”’ of the effect of the craze for artificial silk, which it is stated will probably last for some time, but sooner or later a revulsion of feeling will come, the “Yorkshire Post’’ says those in the artificial silk world do not view the question from this angle. Scientists are determined to produce an artificial fibre which in appearance, durability, heat-retaining and other properties, shall rival wool, with the added advantages of a greater range of colour and more fascinating shades than wool has yet yielded. It will be a pity if, in the contest for superiority in the world’s markets. the importance of the advance of ’artificial fibres is under-estimated by wool producers and wool users.