WOOL CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 109, 4 November 1939, Page 15

WOOL CONTROL

NO SHORTAGE LIKELY

EYE TO iNDUSffcY'S FUTURE

LONDON, October 13. A price to be paid for New Zealand and Australian wartime wool clips has been fixed in agreement with the Gov- , ernments concerned. In several neutral countries there has been some concern at -the news that the New Zealand,and Australian clips will be taken over by the British Government. In the United States it is reported that the announcement has given rise to the assumption that sup- ■ plies will be restricted and that a movement in favour of wool substitutes has already begun. If this movement is to become general in other ■ neutral countries, the ultimate effect to the wool industry will be serious. , It is obviously to the interests of the Dominions that everything possible should be done to assure that wool supplies to meet the needs of neutral countries come forward in adequate quantities and at a' price little above that at which the clip has been purchased by the .British Government. It is being emphasised constantly by competent observers that a shortage of, wool is extremely unlikely, While' it is agreed that supplies of crossbred may be in great dmand. it is confidently expected that large quantities of fine " wool will bo available. It is pointed out that there was a surplus ~of 5,000,000 bales in the Dominions at the end of the Great War.

In addition to keeping wqol prices within reasonable limits, the W0.0.1 Con* trol also supervises distribution. It has to specify .the amount required for the Forces, how much may be released for civilian needs, what amount, can be made r-'ailable to individual firms, and what surplus remains for meeting neutral demands..