Wool has a future researcher finds

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 23, 8 November 1983, Page 6

Wool has a future researcher finds

There are positive indications for the future of wool, such as its increased acceptance in carpets and the fibre's new versatility achieved through recent research and development efforts. These have been documented in a new study by Dr W. R. Schroder of Massey University. But he also warns that wool producers are in a highly competitive fibre market. In his book, The Long Term Future for New Zealand Wool , he states that potential gains could be eroded if wool research and development and promotional activities are not maintained. Dr Schroder, a Reader in Agricultural Economics and Farm Management at Massey University, undertook

the research for the Centre of Agricultural Policy Studies with sponsorship by the New Zealand Wool Board. He warns that, despite wool's acceptance and its potential, "Synthetic fibre manufacturers have been successful in duplicating many of the 'quality' attributes of wool (appearance, retention, soil-hiding properties) and wool now has few real technical advantages over synthetic fibres." The book has 98 pages packed with information, and there is an additional section containing a thorough summary'and interesting conclusions. Anyone associated with the wool industry will find something there to provoke thought and command attention. For instance, after examining the technical support available to the industry, Dr Schroder concludes, "Technical staff with an understanding of the complexities of wool processing will become a disappearing breed unless wool producers replacetextile manufacturers as the supporters of training in wool textile technology." Other conclusions relate to the industry's concentration on carpet wool production (now 55 to 60 percent of the clip), making it 'vulnerabie', and to its dependence upon saies to 'centrally planned economies (the communist bloc) which are likely to be developing their own programmes and following an agenda which does not consider New Zealand's needs. Concerning the role of some developing countries.

he says, "shifts in the location of textile production to countries that are able to produce textiles of similar quality more cheaply should be regarded favourably as, provided that trade in textiles is unrestricted, the result should be increased total fibre consumption because of lower cost to the final consumer." However, he warned that the textile trade suffers from significant restrictions presently, and the trend is toward increased protectionism. Regarding prices, he says, "in the future, synthetic fibre prices are likely to continue to decline in real terms." For wool, "the price to the buyer will be determinecf by the synthetic price and wool's ability to sustain or increase the premium established in thelate 1970s." But, headds, there is no longer any need to assume fixed relativity between wool and synthetic fibre prices. He also sees other positive influences, such as the likelihood of "nest building" behaviour among the world's younger population, ^ sustaining the demand t^P wool: "Likely trends in consumer attitudes, lifestyles, and the age distribution of the population favour wool over other fibres." The book contains many tables and graphs which document and illustrate points made in the study, but which will also provide the attentive. reader with material for his own speculative predictions. The publication is No. 8 of an extensive series ( Agriculturai Policy Papers), and costs $10 (plus 50c handling). It may be obtained from The Secretary, Centre for Agricultural Policy Studj^ Massey University, Palr^B ston North.