THE WOOLLEN INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8331, 12 January 1907, Page 5

THE WOOLLEN INDUSTRY.

AN ASSOCIATION TO BE FORMED. CHECK ON RECKLESS COMPETITION. By Telegraph —Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan/ 10. The conference of representatives of the various New Zealand woollen manufacturing companies which opened in Christchurch a day or two ago has now reached a stage beyond which no'progress can be =made until January 18th. It has been practically decided to establish a Woollen Mills Association. The only • company at present standing out is the Oamaru Company, from which a definite decision cannot be procured until January 18th. The establishment of such an association has been foreshadowed for some years. At the annual meeting of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company a year or two ago the chairman deplored he foolish cut-throat competition that was going on between the different New Zealand companies, to the prejudice of the trade as a whole. The principal object of the association will be to make such arrangements as will do away with that competition. The present high quality of the New Zealand manufactured article is to be retained, and strong efforts will be made to prevent the use of shoddy in New Zealand. The prices for the New Zealand grade are to be kept at a fair and reasonable level, but there can be no attempt at exploiting the public as a result of the combination for outside importations will effectually prevent this. It is recognised that if the present excessive local competition is to continue, the quality of the grades produced must suffer, as well as the financial stability of the companies, and it is with a view to preserving and encouraging the New Zealand woollen manufacturing trade that the conference was called and the association is being formed.