A COTTAGE INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 11

A COTTAGE INDUSTRY

SPINNING ANGORA WOOL. When the Hon. Mr. Taverner was in Auckland recently a deputation of Angora rabbit breeders waited upon him. Mr. A. G. Sainsbury, a prominent breeder of Chinchilla and Angora rabbits, who was a member of tho deputation, emphasised the urgent need of a hand-spin-ning movement, so that the Angora fleece could be marketed in a usual form. It was pointed out that imported ma-chine-spun Angora yarn was retailing in Nqw Zealand shops at Is 9d per %oz ball. Tho hand-spun product was considered superior, because there were fewer broken fibres. What tho deputation desired was that hand-spinners should start business in many districts throughout tho Dominion spinning for tho rabbit keepers at a charge per lb. It was urged that New Zealanders should have full opportunity to develop new issues and local markets with the .spun yarn and its manufacturers. Success, however,, depended on starting hand spinning on the best known lines. The spinning wheels cost in Britain about 655. The deputation suggested that the Government should assist the many thrifty people who had taken up Angora work by engaging .temporarily an expert spinner from Britain to exhibit the various types of wheels, explain their advantages, teach spinning, grading', manufacturing, marketing and the development of new uses and markets. Tho Minister displayed considerable interest in the subject, and promised to discuss tho matter with the Minister of Industries. Since then a reply has been received from the secretary to tho Department of Industries and Commerce stating that with a view to giving effect to the request of the deputation immediate inquiries • were being made as to the extent of tho industry locally and its value as an avenue of employment, and also into the conditions in Britain and Europe. Hand-spinning of Angora rabbit wool would ; be'- an^excellent '■ cottage industry, and; inanyi :‘woman would be able tq : &dd-io. th&'‘faiKrily incema. ’ ~ j