ANOMALY IN WOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 19, 22 January 1916, Page 6

ANOMALY IN WOOL.

'no export to united states but americans buy in london. —— The shipment of New Zealand wool is prohibited to any country but the United Kingdom, and it therefore came as a surprise to learn from recent reports of wool sales in London that buyere from the United States and the Continent were buying. Woolbrokers in Auckland state that as long ac our wool ia needed for military requirements they have no objection to competition at our Dominion eales being limited to English buyers. At the same time they think some explanation is due if Americans and others are, after all, allowed to buy in London. A statement bearing on the matter lias been given to the Press by the Minister of Munitions, who arrived in Auckland yesterday afternoon. He says:— "I fully recognise the anomaly of the position. Presumably the cabled report is correct in its statements. I would like to observe, however, that the cables indicate that there: wae comparatively very little New Zealand wool catalogued for the sales, and that crosebrede, which rire mostly required for military purposes, were extremely scarce. The Government has done everything poesible, consistent with its duty to the Imperial authorities, and ac Minister of Ciietoms I have granted permits for the export of no less than 53,000 bales of wool to the United Statea. Our instructions are, however, definite. A cable has been dispatched to the Imperial authorities asking for advice as to their wishes, and until a Teply is received no more licenses for shipments to tho United States will be issued. As the cable was dispatched several days ago it is anticipated that j. reply will be received at any moment ivhich will enable those interested in the local wool trade to decide upon a definite ;ourse of future action. 'It is interesting to observe," Mr. Myers added, "that at the last sale in jhristchurch, notwithstanding that the American buyers did not operate, the narket showed a rising tendency, which ndicates that the demand in the Home narket is strong. Having regard to the act that there is at the moment a ehortige of shipping facilities, the- Governnent is anxious to clear up the persent loeition. The matter is, however, enircly in the hands of the Imperial au;horities. Exactly similar restrictions ipon the export of all clasees of wool iave, I understand, been imposed in luetralia."