WOOL PROSPECTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 235, 3 October 1924, Page 11

WOOL PROSPECTS.

HIGH PRICES LIKELY. ! A SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES. NEW BUYERS IX THE MARKET. (By Telegraph. —Special to "Star."") WELLINGTON, this day. Despite the remarks that were made at. the close of last season to the effect that wool prices could not be maintained, the shearing season has opened this yveek, and inquiries made by your correspondent with regard to the prospects for the wool market show that they are exceedingly favourable. Inquiries were made in well-informed quarters, and,the reply was that the. indications are more favourable than they have been for many long years. There is undoubtedly a shortage of supplies, and manufacturers arc eager for raw rhaterial, so much so that there are numerous inquiries throughout the country for the clips before they are put on the market, "But," said one informant, "farmers will be very unwise to consider these. When the season rpens it yvill be found that a high range of prices will be established, even above what was paid at the best time last year. All grades of wool yvill benefit by the demapd, which is yvorld ividf, and new buyers will be coming from all parts, as well as the old team, so that growers will be entitled to look fonvard with confidence to the coming season's operations. Growth during the winter months has been excellent, nnd the clip promises to be one with good staple and body in the wool, which will tend to higher prices and better returns to the grower. Shearing is due to start in Wellington this week, and will be pretty general by November 1. There has been an increase of about 600,000 sheep in the Dominion in the last year, and this should have the effect of putting another 12,000 bales of wool on the market from all over tbe country. This has been brought about by some fanners who took on dairy fanning during the boom reverting to sheep farming again. Shearing usually commences in Wellington on October 1 at Terawhitt station, but there is a dispute with the shearers as to wages, and when your representative inquired he was told that operations had not commenced, partly owing to the shearers, and partly owing to the weather. Te Kamarie station commences on October 20. It was stated that the fleeces were better than last year's, and would be very heavy with good staple. There were about 7000 sheep at Te Kamaru, and the clip usually takes about eight days on a straight run. Heavy losses were incurred there last year, three of the machines clipping close, and in the bad weather which followed about 1000 hoggets were lost. Conditions appear more favourable now, the danger being from a cold southerly after the clip. The first Wellington wool sale takes place on November 17, and the dates of future sales have been fixed up to the end of January. Gisborne is endeavouring to arrange a sale, but until buvcrs have decided whether Gisborne is to bo included, no further dates can be ar -cd. The second sale is at Napier, on jvember 21, the third at Wanganui, on November 25, and tho fourth at Christchurch, on November 25, which will give a fair range of prices.