LOW WOOL PRICES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 283, 10 September 1938, Page 10

LOW WOOL PRICES.

THE SALES IN AUSTRALIA. DISAPPOINTED GROWERS. Wool prices realised at the opening of the new season’s sales in Sydney are considered to be exceedingly disappointing to growers, according to a statement issued after the first days auction by the Graziers’ Association of New South Wales. Values are definitely below the costs of production. As the past 12 months has been a drought period, thereby greatly increasing the costs of woolgrowers, the present wool prices are still more unsatisfactory, adds the statement. This position demands of Governmental bodies, central and local, the greatest caution in imposing taxation. Shearing is making good progress in the west and .north-west sections of New South Wales, but is still running late in Riverina. Many sheds report a decrease in the clip, and the opinion is growing among graziers that the drop in the State’s wool production will be substantially more than the 12) per cent estimated by the official bodies in June. A big falling-off in the lambing for the year is indicated. This will adversely affect coining wool clips, besides the lamb export for the season. Reviewing seasonal conditions in. the pastoral industry, the statement adds that the pastures had come on particularly well in the north-west. There was also a. good response in the central west, and much of the far west. The Upper Hunter, however, badly needed rain, and more was needed in the south-west and in Riverina Move rain would also be needed in fcne fat west to bring on the grass, as the herbage would soon disappear m the hot weather.