WOOL TEXTILES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 190, 14 August 1941, Page 7

WOOL TEXTILES

LONG-RANGE PUBLICITY NATIONAL EXPORT CORPORATION FORMATION IN BRITAIN. Wellington, Aug. 12. A National Wool Textile Export Corporation has been formed in the United Kingdom to carry out a programme to encourage the wider utilisation of wool, and, according to information received by Mr. H. M. Christie (chairman of the New Zealand Wool Council) this body will have at its disposal receipts, expected to be about £40,000 per annum, from the levy of one-tenth of one per cent, imposed by the Board o£ Trade on wool sold by the Wool Control for processing in the United Kingdom. For a considerable time, explained Mr. Christie, the British Government has adopted the policy of increasing exports to the utmost, and limiting domestic spending for the purpose of ensuring sufficient supplies for the forces and to assist in financing Britain's colossal war costs. The International Wool Secretariat, which represents New Zealand, Australia and South Africa drew up a detailed plan in January 1940 for developing the export trade of British wool merchandise. It proposed that its organisation should act as a clearing house for the export effort of the woollen trade, and that the cost should be met by the British Government and the industry, the Secretariat’s organisation being used to carry out the programme. The result has been to advise the Corporation on its promotion programme and to carry it into effect. These are the London Style Council and the Wool Fashion Council. It is unlikely, in Mr. Christie's opinion that this activity will be wound up after the war. Publicity will continue to be carried out at the top end ol the fashion industry, with shows and displays designed to stimulate the production of new and improved woollen fabrics ,and keep the public interested in wool wear. "The last ’ added Mr. Christie "is a most important point. The Secretariat is convinced that publicity must be continued in the United Kingdom to combat increasing competition from synthetic fibres, and to keep the market open until such time as demand on the former large scale can be resumed."