The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 17th, 1925. ARTIFICIAL SILK

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 17th, 1925. ARTIFICIAL SILK

Quite a lot is being heard aliout artificial silk, especially since Mr Churchill at Home, placed it on the tarilF list. The subject is of interest to New Zealand, where there is wood pulp in quantity, and hydro-electric power in surplus to assist in the manufacture of the article. In the course of a lengthy review of the world’s artificial silk situation, tiie National Bank of Commerce in New \ evk records tho fact that, from a position of inconsequence, not to say of actual derision, in the textile trade twenty years ago, the artificial silk industry has assumed an enviable role, its annual output at present, running well over 100,000,0001 b. As production of yarn lias expanded the markets for the new textile have l*een broadening, until today an almost insatiable demand taxes the now greatly enlarged facilities. Enlargements of existing plants and the construction of additional units are actively under way, several estimates of the probable outturn of this year totalling over 150,000.0001 b.. or double the crop of real silk. In certain centres machinery is being run night and day in an attempt to keep

abreast, of the demand, l-'rem the standpoint of quantity-output the viscose piar ess lias achieved an outstanding position not only in prance, hut in Knghmd, the Pnileil States. Dermatic and Italy, countries which are now pre-eminent in the production and consumption of artificial silk, in England the new textile has been received with .approval, and col ton and wool manulacturet's, as well as silk and knit goods makers, have attested to their regaid by taking greatly inci'ea-cd quantities. Existing raven mills liavc been urged to their fuih’.st possible production and new factories are being built. The home and export demand, however, is far from being satisfied. Heine, the largest British producer is establishing a viscose mill in Canada, where an abundant supply of wood pulp is assured. On the Continent. despite the extraordinary extensions recently completed, the demand for artificial silk shows no sign of Hugging. All tho yarn that the mills can produce is readily absorbed and the market is still unsatisfied. The impetus which the artificial silk industry has received in Germany of late is partly due to the abolition of the munitions industry in tlmt country. Thanks to the increasing outlets for the yarn, freedom from seasonable demand, and to the availability of domestic raw materials, the industry has weathered the depression which set in after tho period of inflation in liottor shape than have other textile enterprises. The Netherlands, like Goomany, has engaged in an extensive way in exporting rayon yarns. Belgium is in somewhat the saute position as the Netherlands, though consumption of artificial silk by Belgian users is undoubtedly a far more important. factor than is the local consumption in Holland. Belgium, lias a highly developed textile industry, and its exportable surplus is consequently reduced. Exceptionally favoured with a cheap and plentiful lalmur supply, with an abundance of hydro-electric power nm! with a domestic supply of essential chemicals, Italy lias made a most spectacular advance in developing its rayon industry, and is said to he able to manufacture artificial silk cheaper than any of the present producers.