“SYNTHETIC WOOL.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3927, 6 April 1929, Page 4

“SYNTHETIC WOOL.”

AUSTRALIAN GRAZIERS’ STAND That “synthetic wool,” or any “substitute” for wool, more particularly if manufactured in Australia, should be sold for just what it is, and not be traded on to the public as woollen goods, was stressed the other day at Sydney by Mr. F. PI. Tout, president of the Graziers’ Association. His remarks were prompted by the New South Wales Premier’s announcement, in reply to a question, ■that lie would make inquiries into the matter of works being established in Victoria for the manufacture of a product known as “synthetic wool.” “The general lojpinion in trade circles now is that the decline in wool consumption in due in part to the increased consumption of artificial .silk and substitutes for wool,” Mr. Tout said. “Wc are told that the artificial silk business is booming, and we know that strenuous efforts are being made to develop socalled ‘substitutes’ for wool. “Doubtless 'this must be regarded as legitimate enterprise, but moo! interests are certainly entitled to ask that those ‘substitutes’ 'be sold on their o\vn merits —if any. Further, the general public should demand such honesty in trading —the public is entitled to protection. LIVING ON WOOL. “Here in the Commonwealth this protection is more imperative because eeono'miically the wool industry is'earrying Australia. It is only rj>ist plain oommonsenso then to safeguard this industry in every reasonable way possible. I would go further and say that if there is to be any favour shown at all in Australia, it should be to our wool industry, seeing how we are all directly oy indirectly living upon it, “Protection is the policy of the Comlmonwealth, and it is our duty to ‘protect’ the (wool industry from any possibility of an illegitimate trading of substitutes on the genuine wool article. (Such protection means a fair deal for both the wool producer and the wool consumer.”