WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29th, 1920. AUSTRALIAN WOOLLEN INDUSTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1920, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29th, 1920. AUSTRALIAN WOOLLEN INDUSTRY.

The big scheme propounded by the Australian Bureau of Commerce and Industry for the development and expansion of tlie woollen manufacturing industry was considered at a conference held in the Athenaeum Hall, Melbourne. About fifty delegates attended, including manufacturers and pastoralists from all the States, while the employees in the woollen industry were also represented. The scheme put forward by the Bureau of Commerce and Industry lias as its ultimate object the manufacture locally of practically the whole of the wool clip into woollen and iterated goods. The immediate objective is the manufacture in Australia of textile machinery and woollens and worsteds sufficient for the country’s requirements. To give effect to this proposal it is being urged that a company should he formed in each State to treat about one-third of the average wool clip of Australia. It is estimated that a capital of £14,000,000 would be required for the proposed companies. The gen: tval opinion expressed at the conference was tliat it. would not be possible or advisable to launch the venture in its entirety at the present time. At the same time it was urged that immediate steps should be taken to provide for the expansion of the woollen manufacturing industry on sound commercial lines. The Prime Minister, who presided over the conference, stressedthe necessity of providing in Australia employment for both' capital and labour. In almost every department of industry before the war Australia was handicapped in many respects in competition with the world, owing t° the higher wages paid to Australian workmen. But now for all practical purposes the Australian workmen received no higher wage tiian did the workmen of those Western countries that competed against Australia and his output would compare every favourably with fitie output of workmen of other countries. Thus in considering how far they Could extend the treatment of Australia’s raw material, they knew they' could start on as favourable a basis from the standard of labour as any country, with the knowledge that they had an abundance of raw material. It was a grave reflection on Australia that although it was producing the best wool in the world, an almost infinitesimal amount of it was being treated in the country, and the rest being sent overseas, only to be brought back again when made up into the manufactured article. During tlie year which ended on June 30, 1919, Australia imported in certain classes of woollen goods articles of the value of £5,000,000. In order to manufacture sucaessfully in Australia they must have up-to-date and economical methods of manufacture an'd their ■ overhead charges must not be excessive. The Government was prepared to help manufacturers to obtain the machinery they required. The Government believed it was vital that it should do everything in its power to provide employment for capital and labour in the times that were coming. They were going to be very difficult times, but he believed they could be met all right if they displayed courage and enterprise and judgment. If they were to manufacture in Australia all the woollen goods required for local consumption it would absorb only a small portion of the wool clip, and would not' destroy Australia’s market for wool overseas. The Government would do all it could to help such a scheme. After discussion it was resolved: —“That this meeting cordially endorses the proposal of the Prime Minister to inaugurate propaganda for the purpose of largely increasing woollen and worsted manufactures in Australia.” It was. decided that tlie present State committees authorised under tlie scheme should carry 1 on, and that the Bureau of Commerce and Industry should constitute a central council, composed of State representatives, to inaugurate the campaign of propaganda that had been agreed upon.