THE FUTURE FOR WOOL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 197, 18 May 1944, Page 4

THE FUTURE FOR WOOL

When control of the trade in woollen cloths was instituted in Britain it quickly became apparent that the domestic market saw an advantage in buying the highest qualities that could be afforded. One result was that supplies of what are described as modest-grade clothing began to accumulate and. their disposal presented a problem. This has been overcome by an announcement made by the authorities that they are prepared to buy, for purposes of establishing a relief reserve, “certain stocks of civilian clothing in trade hands.” It is. assumed that these transactions are connected with the preparations being made by the Allies for clothing the people in what, are now enemy-occupied countries. Those responsible for organizing telief work have stated that the clothing of the people is second in importance only to the provision of food, and it is contended that the course adopted in Britain will enable substantial quantities of clothes and material to be made available without disturbing the system of control now in operation in the domestic market. Another announcement which has created interest in the woollen trade is that the Combined Production and Resources Board of the United Nations has formed a textile committee which, after making a survey of wartime and relief requirements, will relate them to the productive capacity of each nation. This course, apparently, will mean that each of the leading manufacturing countries will be allotted quantities which will be produced for relief purposes, and it is of importance to the wool-producing countries as it shduld do something to ensure that raw material stocks pass steadily into consumption. There was no organized consuming market on that scale after 1918. British trade journals report that the industry is gratified by this evidence that the organization brought into existence for the purposes of the war effort will be extended to cover the question of supplies of manufactured goods when hostilities cease. Notice has also been taken of the programme adopted by the wool-exporting Dominions for the development of wool in post-war years The chief points of the producers’ programme—improved production, research into new uses and improvements in the manufacture of woollen goods, and publicity for the virtues of wool, are all commended as being likely to stand the industry in good stead in any competitive struggles of the future. One review concludes by stating: “The British wool textile industry takes no gloomy outlook for the future of any of the principal clothing fibres, but believes that in an expanding world economy which may follow the war each will have its place and that there will be room for all.