Woolmark Said To Be Success

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30979, 8 February 1966, Page 18

Woolmark Said To Be Success

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 7. The introduction of the international woolmark in 22 countries throughout the world had been a success not only with manufacturers but also with consumers, said Miss Joan Young, promotion officer of the Wool Board, today.

“As far as New Zealand is concerned it is not just another trade symbol—it represents New Zealand’s main source of overseas income,” she said. One of the signs of the woolmark’s success was that there has been many attempts to pirate it already, Miss

Young told the Auckland Rotary Club. In countries where there were no labelling laws and materials could be described as woollen when they only contained 15 per cent wool, the mark had proved an invaluable guide to quality: One disadvantage that wool had not yet been able to overcome however, was its price fluctuation. In Holland, for instance, where about 50 per cent of the retail price of a blanket was the cost of the wool, price fluctuations had forced several large makers out of the market. “Most of the true synthetics never go up in price—they go down.” said Miss Young. “One fibre has gone down 113 per cent in 11 years.”

A committee was investigating the significance of price fluctuations in wool, said Miss Young. It would pass on its recommendations to the Wool Board and the International Wool Secretariat