The Waikato Times. With which Is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1930. OUTLOOK FOR WOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18026, 22 May 1930, Page 4

The Waikato Times. With which Is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1930. OUTLOOK FOR WOOL.

iMuch has been said and written of the menace to .wool from artificial fabrics, and the low price of wool is partly due to the fear of the effect of the competition of artificial textiles on the use of wool. Were the outlook for wool to be guided' wholly by the possibility of the increased use of other textiles, the outlook would be bad indeed, but happily a new factor Is coming into play and strangely enough it is an artificial textile industry which promises to be one of the best consumers of wool in the next ifew years. Artificial silk which is widely known as “ rayon," is rapidly passing the stage where it is regarded as a direct competitor with wool, silk or cotton. Both in Europe and the United States the decided trend is towards the weaving of textile combinations which require an increasing supply of natural textiles. Last year the total production of rayon was more than 418,000,0001 b. The major portion of the American output of 132,000,0001 b is under British control and Italy’s largest producer is also linked with the same interests, so that Britain has a big say in the rayon industry. In every country where rayon is being produced, huge expansion plans are being carried out this year. Japan will increase her output from 17,000,0001 b. to 30,000,0001 b. in 1930. One company alone in the United States is spending £5,000,000 on a building programme this year, and similar expansion is to be seen in France, Germany, Russia and Italy. But along with this expansion is another development. In the United States, rayon makers are directing their energies in the direction of making an entirely novel range of fabrics from a combination of rayon and wool. In Britain, mixtures of wool and rayon show a predominance in the leading mills over the use of silk and cotton. In a report in January last, a big French producer announced plans for the use of wool in larger percentages than in the 1929 fabrics. Certain specific items are to be in the proportion of rayon 60 to wool 40. Of great interest to Australia is the need by this industry of fine wools. All authorities in the industry are agreed that rayon in its

relation to wool is undergoing a radical change. The experimental stage in which the artificial, product was a competitor with wool is nearing its end, and the general opinion of producers is that the future of the industry depends upon the successful combination of the flbre with wool and cotton in the production of new textiles. One of the leading analytical bureaux sums the outlook up as follows: “The introduction of a fibre of the cheapness and adaptability of rayon has made it produce fabrics which would not otherwise be possible, and to keep trade which would have been lost to manufacturers of fabrics using silk or cotton. Hence the increasing use of rayon must be regarded as a blessing in disguise, for instead of restricting the consumption of raw wool it has probably stimulated it. The use of rayon has definitely aided both in the successful manufacture of - lightweight woollens and in their styling. It appears, therefore, that wooigrowers should regard rayon less as a competitor flbre than as an allied or co-operative fibre, offering endless possibilities for mixtures and thus stimulating the consumption of both fabrics. The view is heartening to the wool proudeer and comes as a ray of hope to all in these times of ad - versity.