Common Policy in Wool Research

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 26, 1 February 1937, Page 5

Common Policy in Wool Research

RECENT CONFERENCE DECISIONS OUTLINED Considerations which guided the deliberations of the recent wool conference in Australia, where Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa met to determine a common policy in respect of wool research and publicity, were outlined on Friday in an interview by Mr U. M. Christie, M.P., chairman of the New Zealand delegation, who returned from Sydney by the Awatca on Friday morning. Mr Christie is to report to the Government on the matter. The conference agreed to establish an International Wool Publicity and Research Fund, to be administered jointly by the three countries. ' “The outstanding feature of the conference was the excellent spirit of unanimity which prevailed throughout,” said Mr Christie. “This unanimity, however, was not achieved by .sacrifices on the part of any of the bodies present. Jt was entirely due to the fact that the delegates were broadminded enough to recognise that the interests of wool producers throughout the world were identical. Tho conference achieved much of a practical nature. A fund was created which will be devoted to research and publicity throughout the world. The work of creating an entirely new organisation for tho purpose of administering this fund was by no means easy, as many practical difficulties presented themselves with regard to enabling the separate councils to retain ultimate con i-rol of the joint fund without sacrificing efficiency and expedition « - administration. This organisation was discussed in all its ramificatons, and the conference belcves that it has made provision for all contingencies that are likely to arise. World Commodity “Wool is a world commodity, and the conference, realising this, came to tho conclusion that in no circumstances should the scheme be limited to any particular country. The councils will contribute to the fund on tho basis of the average quantity of wool exported, calculated over a period of live years. Every delegate was in complete accord that this basis was the most just. Subject to confirmation, on preliminary figures submitted, for the ensuing financial year the quota of contributions will be: Australia 60.5 per cent., South Africa 20.5 per cent., and New Zealand 19.0 per cent.

“The amount of expenditure for the first year cannot be stated at tho present moment, as it will depend on par ticulars revealed by careful investigation by the secretariat, which will be the first duty of this body, but the amount will be limited by the financial resources available under the quota of contributions agreed upon. It is hoped that tho secretariat will start work in London by the beginning of July. “It was agreed that internal publicity and research in the primaryproducing countries should bo under the administration of the separate councils,” continued Mr Christie. “The reason’for this is that each country has its own separate problems, and by means of effective interchange of information such problems as aro common to all three countries can be solved without unnecessary duplication of work. Quite a considerable proportion of the levy will be utilised by each country for this purpose. 1 ‘At present wool prices are on a satisfactory basis, and it should be stressed that the intention of the research and publicity campaign is not to attempt to raise prices above an economic level. Such a course would defeat its own ends, and this fact is thoroughly appreciated by all concerned. However, the conference is convinced that the present level of prices is not based on a very secure foundation, and that well-considered action along the lines proposed is necessary to make the future of wool secure. Uniform Legislation “Reference lias already been made to the resolution of conference to try and obtain uniform legislation for the description of woollen articles. If this can

bo achieved it will greatly facilitate industry and commerce, and make administration of the legislation more simple and effective. If uniform international Icgslation could be secured, as, for instauce, the International Copyright Act, it would be unnecessary for, say, a manufacturer to have to refer to a number of different Acts before he can distribute his goods to different markets, or before ho can manufacture certain materials for sale in different countries.

“Tho conference also passed a very strong resolution, regarding restrictions which hamper international trade, it being felt that as wool is a world commodity it is an absolute necessity for all nations that require the raw material to bo able. to obtain it, because if they do not obtain it they will be compelled to use other textiles to make up the deficiency. Conference has also decided to ask the different countries to compile and publish statistics relating to wool on a uniform basis. ” Mr Christie added that the conference had been adjourned sine die, and it was impossible to fix any date for the next meeting. The Australian Wool Board and the New Zealand Wool Publicity Committee had accepted the invitation of the South African Wool Council to hold the next conference in South Africa.