WOOL RESEARCH

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 1, 16 January 1937, Page 9

WOOL RESEARCH

Producing Unshrinkable Fabric NEW BLEACHING METH0D When Mr. G. W. Forbea was last in England he paid a very interesting visit to Torndon, the headquarters, near Leeds of the Wool Industries Research Assoeiation, and he spoke later of the work that was being done in regard to the production of nonshrinkable wool, and in regard to bleaching. Since then Professor H. G. Denham and Dr. W. Riddet are among other notable New Zealanders who have been to Torridon. This week the annual report has been issued, and it contains much information that will be of value in the Doininion. It indicates that considerable progress has been made in several directions. One of the most far-reach-mg discoveries is in regard to a new ehlorination process for producing unshrinkable wool. This revolutionary development has reached a stage where release for the treatment of wool in top or, at previous stages of manufacture has been recommended. This decision follows the careful examination of the treatment by a technical panel. There now remains oniy the commercialising ur the treatment, as the following comment indicates:— "It remains only for the assoeiation to complete the business arrangements whereby its members will be able to take up the process on a coinmercial scale." NEUTRAL BLEACBAnother major line of work Is eonnected with bleaching. A new method employmg sulphite solutions — the socalled neutral bleach — prevents the rapid yeilowing of wool which sometimes occurs on washing and which can prove such a serious drawback in the use of whites. Current work has been directed at some of the fundamental problems connected with this discovery from which addi$ional improvements are expected. In a reference to' the study. of the processes of the industry, and particularlv to scouring and combing, the report has a frank statement to make. "Experience shows that it is certainly not the least efficient .or succeseful firms who find it pays to unite to cariy out such co-operative wqrk. This seems the best answer to the less enligbtened individualist who states bluntly that he has no intention of the advantage of the industry as a FIBRE CHARACTERISTICS The work connected with the scientific measurement of the characteristica of wool flbre has wide interest. Besides the physical methods employed, the question of accurate sampling, whether of wool on the sheep's back, in a clipped fleece, or in a top, is held to be a necessary basis for anv common attack on the scientific study of wool between workers in different countries. A great amount. of attention has been given to this matter. The report reads: "This phase of the work establishes what might become a very fruitful scientific contact between manufacturer and pastoralist. The wool-grower is concerned to see that his assessment of wool quality on the sheep's back is a valid guide in breeding and seleotion. His aim must be to supply what the mauufacturer wants; the buyer'a valuation is not an infallible gjuide. Characteristics of wool measureable in the fleece require to be linked up with definite information on the performance of wool in manufacture. This knowledge will be desired by those among both manufacturers and pastoralists who take a reasonably long view of the future position of wool in relation to competing fibres. "It is cheering to know that in British dominions the long view has prevailed. Levy bills for the financing of research and publicity for wool have recently been passed by the Governments of both Australia and New Zealand. South Africa already possesses the necessary powers." The opinion is expressed that industry is getting something out of the Research Assoeiation. It had been shown that already two discoveries had been made which could not fail to prove to the advantage of the industry as a whole. "Perhaps if a figure could be estimated for the capitalised value of oue only of these discoveries, the modest contributions, which are required for thexsupport of the assoeiation, would be regiarded in a different light."