WOOL RESEARCH

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24910, 25 June 1946, Page 4

WOOL RESEARCH

INVESTIGATION BY COMMITTEE

CO-ORDINATION OF WORK PLANNED (P.A.) DUNEDIN, June 24. Members of the New Zealand Wool Board and the Sheep and Wool Research Advisory Committee, set up by the board under the Wool Industry Act, arrived in to-day to inspect the work being carried out at the University of Otago by the New Zealand Woollen Mill Owners’ Research Committee. The purpose of the advisory committee is to co-ordin-ate research work at present being carried on" throughout New Zealand.

Members of the Wool Board who arrived were Messrs W. Horrobin (deputy chairman), A. Briscoe Moore (Whangarei), G. R. Macdonald (Rangiora), J. D. Revie (Crookston), and D. C Aubrey (Wanaka). Members of the research advisory committee present were Messrs James Begg and F. C. Jchnston (representing the- New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board), Dr. F. J. Filmer (Department of Agriculture), Mr W. R. Carey (representative of the New Zealand Woollen Mill Owners’ Association), Dr. C. Barnicoat (Massey Agricultural College), Dr. I. E. Coop (Lincoln College), and Mr F. R. Callaghan (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research).

Explaining the purnose of the new committee Mr Horrobin said that research had been functioning at various agricultural research stations, and through the Woollen Mill Owners’ Association, and it was felt that there was insufficient co-ordination of effort, while lack of funds had also been a handicapping factor. The new body was the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and it was hoped that with an examination of the work being carried on throughout New Zealand in regard to raw fibre, the manufacturing side and animal husbandry, a programme of coordination of research work could be implemented.

Possibilities of Research “It is highly desiraWe,” Mr Horrobin said, “that the* closest liaison should be maintained between this country, Australia, and Great’Britain in research work. The Wool Board is procuring a puppet show from Great Britain displaying the latest types of finewoven fabrics to show the people of New Zealand the possibilities of research and investigation. Both to meet the public demand and to counter the inroads of synthetic materials we must be in a position to apply the latest methods of manufacture of finewoven materials, or to ensure the importation of those materials.

“The wool commission, a subsidiary of the London joint organisation, is now in operation, and while having definite and specific duties in the joint disposal scheme, is working in complete harmony with the industry’s representatives and the New Zealand Wool Board. The Wool Disposal Commission in New Zealand acts as agent and administrator for the parent body in London. The Wool Board continues as the representative and voice of the producing industry.” Members of the board and committee will leave on Wednesday morning

for Christchurch, and will visit all research points and agricultural colleges in New Zealand to see the work being done and classify it in order of importance to the industry.

'Hie membership of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association now stands at 11,676 an increase of 4618 over the total of 7058 at this time last year.