WOOL AND ITS RIVALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1929, Page 9

WOOL AND ITS RIVALS.

The rather drastic remedy advocated by the president of the Wanganui Farmers' Union, even if acted upon,, will not do a great deal to raise wool prices, nor will -tho revision of the tariff and assistance from shopkeepers, as other prominent shcejur.en imagine, do much toward improving the wool situation — a mere drop ; n a buck.i of water, so t«i speak. It is not so nui"3i the comparative few within New Zealand who wear apparel containing synthetic fibres, but the many millions outside this little country whom we must endeavour, by all means possible, to induce to patronise fabrics made from sheep's wool. Personally, I do not consider the present synthetic wool a serious rival to natural wool, as its inflammability must greatly handicap its use—its charing point being well below that of cotton—and it possesses other serious defects, but all must admit that synthetic silk has certain good properties, and is sure to remain a rival of wool for particular articles of clothing, independently or in a blend with wool. Furthermore, T. am decidedly of the opinion there is less to be gained from research work devoted to the improvement of wool's attractivness and serviceability for certain fabrics, than in other departments of the industry. Mercerising processes are already in vogue and adding to conversion costs, which are staggering when compared with those of synthetic commodities. This places wool at its greatest disadvantage, and if a reduction in costs can be effected in this direction, wool manufacturers will he placed on a much better footing for lighting- their enterprising competitors. Moreover, woolgrowers cannot look to the manufacturer to accomplish everything with his own resources. Most manufacturers are specialists outside of New- Zealand, and, at comparatively small cost can change over to the enemy, as indeed many have already done. But what is to become of the thousands of sheepmen on our poor hill and mountain country if wool prices become, lower? They are already below paying point on some areas. The time calls for instant and conjoint action and the sooner we get busy with a well-considered practical scheme, to combat the unfair methods of advertising indulged in by certain manufacturers of synthetic products and bring about a lowering of the costs of conversion and distribution, the sooner can we expect wool to be able to hold its own against rivals and regain prosperity for all concerned. W. HAMBLY.