WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 22, 22 December 1932, Page 12

WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

REPLY TO MR COATES. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 21. In reference to a reply made by Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates to a statement issued by the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association on Saturday last, the following further statement has been prepared by the association. “At the recent wool sales held in Christchurch high prices paid by New Zealand mills provided the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association with a valuable argument in showing how farmers were assisted by woollen manufacturers. This aspect has been overlooked in the criticism to which the woollon industry is subject, and it was felt that the rank and file of sheepfnrmers especially should have this pointed out to them in view of Mr Coates’s statement that ‘lt is about time we took this thing by the throat and said they must reduce prices.’ “Further, the clip of wool bought by tho New Zealand mills was also mentioned as being proof positive of the high standard of goods made in New Zealand. These two points cannot be stressed too strongly at the present juncture, because they, are of educational value to many sections of tho community. "Were the local mills able to use a greater proportion of the clip than at the present ; it is only fair to assume that the prices would improve still further. “References mado by Mr Coates to the Ottawa agreement are outside, the scope of the first statement made by the Manufacturers’ Association. For many years before tho Ottawa .Conference was held the same critical statements were made, although local mills were always paying highest prices and producing high grade goods. To keep the statements made in Mr Coates’s reply strictly to the subject under discussion, namely, the woollen industry, it is felt that when next he makes sqch .a remark he should also make a definite charge against this industry in straight-out terms, and then a detailed reply can be given. “Investigations of important industries in New Zealand in the past have proved them to be economical and efficient, and it was only fair that the information available to Mr Coates about the woollen industry, should have been analysed carefully by him prior to the statement which ho made in the House. The lag between wholesale and retail prices is a matter that is engaging the attention of Governments and economists in all countries, and is not peculiar to New Zealand in general or the woollen industry in particular. “Wo repeat that no member of Parliament is entitled to make such damaging statements as Mr Coates made in tho House on November 8 without complete and accurate information on the subject under discussion.”