WHY THE DIFFERENCE?

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1930, Page 16

WHY THE DIFFERENCE?

WOOL AND WOOLLEN GOODS. Recently the New Zealand Farmers’ Union asked that investigation be made by the Department of Industries and Commerce into the huge discrepancy between the price of raw wool and the cost of manufactured woollen goods, us a reduction in the price of the manufactured article would tend to create an increased demand for wool and a higher price to the primary producer. The .Minister of Industries and Commerce, in the course of his reply, says: “For some time past the woollen mills of the Dominion have had to meet keen competition from importations, and are having a struggle to hold their own. This competition is keeping prices on a competitive basis. Local competition has also been very keen. ‘•’Die point raised by your executive relative to the cost of the raw material and the cost of the finished product applies not only to New Zealand-made woollen materials but also to imported woollen goods. "The request of your executive has been given careful consideration, but with a knowledge of the difficult circumstances under which the woollen industry is operating it is not considered that any good purpose would lie served L bv an investigation such as that pro- | posed.”