"SORRY, GENTLEMEN!!"

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 280, 26 November 1929, Page 8

"SORRY, GENTLEMEN!!"

AUCKLAND'S WOOL SALE. DISAPPOINTING PRICES. MANY LOTS PASSED. A year ago there was great jubilation amongst farmers and commercial men over Auckland's first wool sale of the season. The very first, lot evoked keen 'competition, and.was promptly knocked down at the eminently satisfactory price of 17d. And so it went on. The sale went,with a real"swing from .'start to finish, ; aml when the end came' 25d had been registered as a top price, and 21,991 bales had been disposed of at an average of .£22 11/ per bale, or 1/3 j per lb. 'This time what a contrast! A tame beginning proceeded, as it promised, and lo.t after lot was passed unsold. Growers', reserves in many instances were well above the price the buyers were prepared to give, and thus it was that: "'Sony, gentlemen!" came quite often from the auctioneer's lips, intimating that the highest bid was not acceptable. The hard fact is that the last twelve months has seen almost a revolutionary change in the demand for wool. It is true, that the threat of competition from substitutes has existed for' several years and has been successfully withstood but during the last year the cumulative effects of this competition appear to have asserted themselves. Auckland farmers were lucky last year in striking for the November sale the highest prices recorded for the season. Later on values gradually receded,' considerable losses were made by purchasers, and the woollen manufacturers of the world found it impossible to place the finished article at a price to justify the cost to themselves. Stringency in the money market at Home and threats of industrial troubles have all been factors intensifying the difficulty of the position from the wool buyers' point of view.

Whatever the cause, the hard fact stands that at the moment the sheep's fleece has lost some, of its old preeminence, and modern fashion casts it Contemptuously aside in favour of lighter, more attractive looking and, lower priced, if lens durable, fabriccs. / ■ What Is It Wortii? |

There is still a keen demand for wool, and-thi.s 'Wa-s- 'evidenced Idst night hy keen "bitkling from a full bench of, buyeris representing., all the . wool-consilniin;; centres, of the world. The only hitch h over the all-important matter of prlca. It has been said that anything over a shilling a pouiid for wool pays the farmer. Such an approximation can only be accepted subject to material reservations, dependent .upon varying farm values and other conditions. Even at this ihodcst figure it would seem that

the farmer must be a season,

for line after line was.put through last night at well under tho.twelve pence, even for the choicest-parts of the clip. It was quite evident tlial. buyers were sitting hard on their reserves, and lljd and iljd were tho bids heard most frequently during tlie. hours of selling.

. This year's offering was considerably less than that offered in November, 1928, chiefly by reason of the fact that unseasonable weather interfered with shearing. Moreover, the condition of the market was not tempting enough to induce 'gi'owers to rush their wool foi> ward. The offering totalled 17,225 bales, against 2gi260 : last' 'November.' Whilst .an. approximate estimate.; is: difficult -to; a.rriv.e.. i at ■ iintiJ. ;more- retilrns are ayallabl.ej. it can be stated as probable that the fall- iii prices, will mcjln-that farmers will receive £100.000 less than they received for a Similar quantity of wool' last November. This is irrespective,of the difference in the quantities offered. A similar percentage reduction covering the whole of Auckland's clip wauld: mean a drop in revenue for the full, season of a quarter of a'million sterling.; Wherefore it is to be hoped the market' will' recover before the rest of • Auck-' land's-wool is marketed. . ' I

Last season Great Britain took nearly 450,000-bales' in a.total of 695,000 bale's shipped from the Dominion, ■from which it will be seen how important is the attitude of Bradford to the local market. Last night most of the sales were made to the Continent, and although Bradford buyers were operating throughout they did not take the lending part which ft was hoped they would. Paissia was amongst the countries which took a fair share of the offering , , but the United States representatives were conspicuously silent.

Local mills usually have a monopoly of the "star' or odd lots but it was a. noticeable feature that on the present occasion, despite the lateness of the hour, a number of main buyers waited to compete for these. This was another demonstration that wool is wanted—at a jprice. As already indicated, there was a large proportion of the wool passed unsold. This morning brokers were busy bringing the farmer wool owners whose reserves had not been reached and the highest bidders together, to arrange compromises. Many additional sales were made, but it is significant that it was the farmer who had to make the. concession in practically every case.

The Class of Wool. Last year there was a good deal of praise bestowed by buyers upon the improved condition of the Auckland clip. For this first sale these encomiums are either withheld or considerably modified. A representative buyer, in conversation with a "Star" reporter, vigorously condemned the wool, stating frankly that the fleece had .been subordinated to the raising of fat lambs for export, and the character of the clip was suffering in consequence. Others complained that the clip was • not presented as well as it might have been. It would seem that many growers, be-

cauge wool prices are down, had . neglected to give the special care to the classification, skirting and general preparation of -their offerings that should have been given. Speaking in' general terms,,it may be said that {he wool was heavier in condition this year, and contained more seeded lines than is usual at the first sale.

Top price fortlie sale again went to Messrs. O'Brien Bros., of Waiheke Island, with 19d for six bales of fine half-bred hogget wool.' At last Novembers sale they topped the market with 25d for reclassed half-bred wethers; and in November, 1927, with 2<3|d. The same growers also seoured ISgcl and ISid for other lots, of half-bred wool at last night's sale y That distinctively New Zealand product, the Corriedale, was again in. favour, and four.bales of extra super sent forward on behalf. of Captain G. A. Humphrey • Davies, of Saudspit, near Cleyedon, realised 18Jd. " .. The arrangements "for the sale were excellently made and admirably carried out. Brokers.dealt with the lots in most expeditious fashion, and rounds of ap-' .plause from the bench at the conclusion oi the sale of one of the catalogues was In +W y $ V l6 %** appreciation. 3600 I Part,CUl r Case •*• dialogue of

j: some: or. the clips. . The following is a liet of a number of representative clips, together'with the prices bid. (P) indicates that the lot was passed unsold: — Kowhnra.—6 bales super three-quarter-bred hogget. 13d : 5 bales super crossbred ■hogget-, 12} d; :15 bales super crossbred combinsr, 113 d; 7 bales super half bred combing, 123 d ; 20 . bales super three-i quarterbred combing, 13d; 12 bales crossbred, 114 d; 9 bales first tLree-quarterbred pieces, IOd; 4 bales bellies, 7§d; 4 bales, crutches, 6§d (P). .' ' Lacewooil. —3 bales medium hogget, Hid ; 1 bales fine-crossbred, lljd : 15 bales: medium -crossbred,,, lljd ; 5 bales cross-, bred', 11 id. . : ' :

Oumiwhao. —10 • bales lioggot A, 13Jd ; 29. bstles. crossbred A, 13d; 15 bales crossbred, 12d; 4 bales hogget pieces, 101 d; 12 bales pieces, lOd ; 4 bales crutch, Sd.. • Two concentric circles, crossed.— (i bales fine crossbred "hogget, 12d.: 7 bales medium crossbred hogget, 12d; 32 bales medium .crossbred, 12d; .7 bales crbssbMd, lOJd; 4 bales crossbred bellies, 8d; -1 bales crutch, 7d. '

T orer Teopu.—ls bales hoggets A, lljd (l>) ; 20 bales ewes A. 12d (I , ) ; '23.bales ewes B, iljd (P) ; 10 bjlsa wethers v>, lljd (P),; .5 bales .cross Wed, lid;. 7 bales pieces, 7d (P) ; 4 bales bellies,, (P.)-■-WC.—lO bales hogget Ist. 12(1 (P); IS bale's ewes, ll|d (P) ; 13 bales ewes No; 7 hogget, lid (P) : IS bales wethers, UJil (P) ; 6 bales pieces. 9d; 4, bales bellies, .71(1 (P) ; 4 bales crutch, 7d (P). K over Papatapu.—3 bales crossbre-,1 hogget A,'l2d; 5 bales crossbred A, lljd. Mangaroa.—s bales fine crossbred hogget, I2d; (( bales crossbred ewe, ll.ld ; 14 bales tine crossbred combing. 12?, d; 7 bales crossbred pieces and bellies, Old. Hav.'iri. —12 baled crossbred owe wethers, lid.

Waiaiia.—7 bales fine crossbred, I\<\; 14 bales medium crossbred.' lOJii; 9 brJes medium crossbred dingy, 10d. II and M.--0 bales Conlednle. 12ijil; 5 bales crossbred hoggpt. 12d : !) bnlea crossbred fine, 12Jd ; 9 bales crossbred medium, lid.

Midlands. —9 hales crossbred hogget. 18(1; 24 bales crossbred owes, 12Jd; 7 bales bellies and pieces, 7J>l. II and \V over Paerata.—S bales hosgct A, 14<1; 4 balds ewes and wethers AA, 13d; 19 biiles ewe** A. 122 d ; S bales crossbred ewes 4, wethers 2, hogget 1, rams' 1, Iljd; 11 bales crossbred, wethers 10. rams 1, 12Jd; 4 bales pieces, 9^d; 4 bales bellies, BM.

G over roiiui.—o bales qudrforbretl, I4d (I , ) ;12 bales halfbrcd. 17i>1 (V) ; 4 bnles crossbred flno. 12:7 d (P) ; '-1 bales bellies anil pieces, 91<] (I , ). Fairlie.—ll bales crossbred flue A., 123 d; C bales crossbred medium A, I2d ; 4 bales crossbred A. Hjjd; {5 bales cronsbrPd medium B, lljd: 4 bales crossbred C, Hid; 5 balea, bellieo 2, and. pieces 3, Bd. Porrtell.—G bales oi'ossbrett hogget, 12id ; 20 bnles crossbred wethers, 1.2 d. ' KgnpuSe.— 6 bales crossbrud hogget A, 12|: 7 bftles crossbred hogtfef; B, HJ'd; Uo/ba!cs crossbred A; UJfi ; 11 .bnles crbssbl'orl IJ, 11-ia ; 7 bull's pieces, O^d; 4 bales 7id'; 4 bales crutch, 7d. - T -..'.. underlined.—s bales crQHKbrcd liokv.'t. 12?. d; 20 balea crossbred ewes, lljd ; 0 l>a!eu crossbred wether, 113 d. "A.(3. over Hoteo.—94 bales crossbred ewes d:\l wethers, 11 Jd; C bales crossbred, 10"tl; 14 bales crossbred hogget, 113 d. Ktmui.-stf -bales crossbred hogget, 11 ad ; •")."> bales crossbred ewes, i 8 shorn, llid; 4 bales bellies and pieces, 6Jd. ■ Croslands.—4 bales crossbred medium hpjrge't A',' lid; 4 bales cros.sbred medium B lionet; 'ltd; i bales crossbred A lionet, 4--bales-crossbred B, 10d; 4 bales .tu-psiibred iine A, iOic!; 4 bales crossbred fine B, 10d; 4 bales crossbred medium A, lDid;'4 bales erossbretl medium B, HJd; ,4 bnlrs xffossbred a, 10d; 3 bales crossbred B. 10d > • .12 , bales crossbred medium I). Old ;. .0 . bales .crossbred D, 8W; 5 bales pieces, 85(1; 7 bales Ist crutch, Oj!d. Flat' 'Top.'-VO ''bnldfl' rrossbrpd ' ISJcI-; 12 • iiaies • crossbred ewes, lli]d; 5 billes. crossbred-■ wethera, lijd; 4 bales bellipa ni.i(,l.pkeefs. ,7.1.d ' Tapuwae.—B bnles crossbrtd hoggets. 12b1; 13 bales crossbred wethers, 11 Jd (P). '

B B over M K in a cross,—7 bales crossbred .hogset A. 123 d; 13 bales erossbrcdcv.'ca. A, 12(1; 0 bales, e\vos 3, hoggets 2, B/: 1 1.?/«!;■-5 bales pieces, IChUI. Mo'tuihl*-—5 balos crossbred hosier, 13d: 11 bales crossbred.A, lqjd; 1 bales bejllcs and "pieces, Ssd.'.'■'■■ Freshwater.—4 bales super Corriedaln, lfli.rl , ; , -S' irales!' Corrtedale.' 14d ; 4 bales extra.■'super . Corriedale, 181 d; 5 bales necks; bellies and pieces, !)d.-Croßlnnd:-"8 'bales -crossbred, ]o}d. '. OUaharau.—l4- bales crossbred ewe anil nPESftt. A,. ,131(J;. IS. bales, crossbred ewe aiHl/ho.rjget B, 12d: bellies and pieces, Sd. .FT over Burdowie.—lo bales 'U'ossbred, fiwev No.- -10- rains, llij<<; lu'-bajes crossl>red ewes, llijd ;. 0 bales Tossln-ea ewes, 103 d;. 4 bales crossbred, lOjjd ; 8 bales bellies find pieces, BJd; 4 baloa crutch, Bd. ■ML over AAA' (Binned Wools).—r> bales Ist'Southdown, 175(1; 4 balos /AA Kou'tlidown, ,12Jd; !) bales ./CCC crossbred fine, I.2Jd; S bales /CC crossbred fine, 12Jd: 0 bales /C crossbred fine,- JlJ<l; n bales' /DDD crossbred metliuTO, 12Jd; 11 baloK /DI) crossbred medium, lljt] ; S bales /D crossbred, lljd. Omakurn.—lo bales A orossbrod skirted (0 shorn). 12id; 5 bales B crossbred skirted; ll£tl, Tikitiki.—s bales , P crossbred hopgeis, ; S bales P crossbred ',V, lid; 5 bales M crossbred .K, IOJd. • U over Wftiheke.—4 bales balfbrod, 17id; 3 bales P crossbred. 13d; 10 bales M crossbred. 12d; l< bales crossbred, lljd. ynlrnngl,*—l2 bales P croKsbrod, 12? d

Cayaiii.—(} bales ~A. r cioe&i>iU,'"i2M; t L*^_ 8 : B croßSbrpcl. 12d : 4 bales C crossbred, 114 d; 3 bales, lbs, 11 Jd - 1o ?i B 2 ver p " tlkl -—0 - - bales halfbred \V. 18Jd; S bales halfbred E, 18.1(1; 6 bales F α-osshred ■hoj#et. 19d; 1 bales F crossbred E, 14id (P) ; 4 bales crossbred pieces,

Riverside.—4 'hales crossbred hogget, 12(1; 7 bales F crossbred, 12Jd i ■fS el !"\T 4 bales P crosK,)r e<l hoßgct. 155(1; i) bnles F crossbred, 14;,' d : S bale;: crossbred. 13j<1; 4 bales pieees, IOJd wtth Pr^%A Mansatea.—ls bales crossbred low? Ai i : , 13 bale , 9 '"osebrod hocgets. 123 d, 41 bales crossbred ewes, 12d- 11 bales necks and pieces, IOJd • 7 bales bellies

• rp, over Fairview.—7 bales crosshrprl hoggets IM; 3 6 bales crossbred ewes I, ]2d; o bnles crossbred cwps B, IMd- 4 bales crossbred wetl.era, 12Jd: 7 bales necks and. first pieces and bellies 8M K over Kara,—6 bains Corriedale ewes gets, 13d; 4 bales crossbred fine, '- s P ieces ana bellies and pieces,

AL.— l't bales crossbred wethers A. I.;) bales crossbred wethers B, Hid; 6 bales' pieces and bellies, Sfd. T"T" upside down.—ls bnles crossbred ewes, fine, 12d; C bales crossbred :ewes medium, Hid; 6 bales crossbred hoggets, 12*0 • 6 bales bellies and pieces, 7gd. Tihifunga. —3 bales super cfossbred. 12Sd ; 0 bales first crossbred hogget, 13$ d' 4 bales first crossbred wetherg, 12-jd; 28 hales first crossbred ewes and rams, 12d - 5 bales second crossbred ewes and nonets, l<Md: 8 boles bellies and pieces, Bid; 4 ba'les crutches, 5-} d. Chines.—2s bales crossbred ewes A. 12Jd • 11 bales crossbred ewes B, lid; 4 bales crutches, Bd.

WA over Parahaki.—4 bales crossbred hoggets A and ivetl.ers fine, li'^d ; 9 bales crossbred wethers A and ewes A, 12Jd: 7 bales crossbred wethers C, and ewes C, Ilia--4 bales crossbred ewes, fy 10Jd;'5 bales first pieces and necks, 9Jd; !) bales bellies, Sid; 4 bales locks, second pieces, s*d; 5 bales crutches, 6d.

Wairama • over Downs,—s bales crossbred hogget super, -13d: 5 bales crossbred-hogget super, 18d; 12 bales crossbred siiper. 12|d; 14 bales crossbred super, ■ 12jd; 6 hales crossbred A, Hid; 4 bales crossbred B.

lid; 5 bales necks and pieces, 9id; 4 bales bellies, 7Jd.

Rockhill.—lß balps- crossbred A, (P); 8 bales crossbred hogget. 124 d: 3 bales crossbred B, 10i (P) ; 4 bales bellies and

pieces. B£d.. ■■' Portland over K.Z. —S bales crossbred fine hogget, 12* d; 6 bales crossbred medium hogser, lljd; 7 bales crossbred fine, ll*d: 13 bales crossbred medium, lUd-; 13 bales

crossbred coarse, lid. • PM over bnles crossbred ewes, lid (P): S bales crossbred boggets. HJd i 4 bales bellies and pieces, 7Jd. SL over Tiipe Tupe.—B bales crossbred A 12-ld; IS bales crossbred B, ll|d (P) ; 6 bales crossbred hogget first and crossbred; hogget second, 12$ d; 5 bales crossbred E, 10-Jd (P) ; 5 bales pieces, 9d; 4. bales .bellies, Sid. BotL'wcll over K. 55.—8 bales crossbred hogget A. 12Jd; 5 bales- crossbred hogget B, 11*1 • <* bnles crossbred AA, 12Jfl: 35 bales d'orsbred A, llfd; C bales crossbred B, H»,e:,o hales pieces and necks, 10 Jd; 5 bales bellies, "id. ' Kqhoatua..—s bales crossbred hocsrefc fine, 14d; 7 bales crossbred ewes fine. 13id: G bales Crossbred medium, 13} d; 5 bales skirtings, S}d.- - bales crossbred fine hogget and crossbred fine, '133 d; 4 bales crossbred medium hogget, 12d r 6 bales crossbred medium, ll|d; 5 bales crossbred coarse, lljd. .... . '■ -.

Iki 1k1.—5 bales crossbred hogget, l o 4d' 12 bales' crossbred ewes," 11 jd; 4 bales crossbred wethers, lid;' 4 bales pieces and bellies, HA. ■

WGR. —7 bales halfbred wethers, 15d • 16 bales half bred ewes (9 shorn), l'74d'" 7 bales halfbred hogget, 13id; 4 bales pieces, Kainui.—B bales crossbred Logget, 12d--10 bales fine crossbred ewe, 12d (P) • o bales medium crossbred ewe, ll^d; 8 bales bellies and pieces, 9d; 4 bales lambs lljd

S oyer P. —4 bales Kyeland, 141 d; 5 bales fine crossbred, 13d; 10 bales aedium crossbred (G shorn), 12gd; 12 bales crossbred (6 shorn), Hid; 4 bales first pieces, aju (1 ). " ■

Boyd.^—9 bales crossbred hogget, 121 d • 6 bales crossbred. wethers, 12d • 16 bales' crossbred ewe (!) shorn), aid (P). Pakaraka.r-28 bales medium crossbred (12 shorn), 12gd.

Hallsdaie.—G bales halfbred (clean skirted), lS^d. I'aparai.i.—7 bales crossbred ewe lid (P);8 bales crossbred wethers, (P) • 7 bales crossbred hogget, 12d; 5 bales bellies and necks, S§d. $ ■ ■ , W.V. over Dingley De 11.—35 bales crossbred (18 shorn),'lid; 6 bales crossbred hogget, lid; 6 : bales pieces, 7Jd A-'.—7 bales Ulfbred, l§d;"4 bales halfbred hogget,- 16id (P); 5 bales fine cross Wed, 11-jd; 4 bales halfbred pieces, io|d Te bales crossbred'hogget, l°d" 11-bales crossbred, 12d; 5 bales: crossbred <nK! a . 1 5 n l l, T B 'J l)aIe8 fine Romney hoggets, 12jfd; 4 bales fine Romney ewe, 113 d.

OFFICIAL REPORT. RANGE OF PRICES. , The Auckland Wool Brokers' Association reports as follows:— The iirst Auckland sale of the 19291930 season was held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Monday evening November 25, commencing at*7.3o p.m? The individual offerings in the order of sale were:— Bales. Farmers' Co-op. Auctioneering Co., Ltd 3327 New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, Co., Ltd 3692 Dalgety and Co:, Ltd., and North Auckland Farmers' Co-op., Ltd., in conjunction f>73o Abraham and Williams, Ltd 2229 A. Buckland and Sons, Ltd 2241 Total 17,225 There was a full bench of buyers? representatives of ail wool consuming countries throughout the world. Speaking generally, competition was keen and general at the reduced values obtaining since the- New Zealand sales opened. . Bradford buyers were more in evidence than at any previous sale this season, this being accounted for by the slight easing in values for top-making wool, which brought prices more in accord with their limits.

There was very little tender or cot ted-wool in the catalogues, and/wool opened up heavier in condition and Biiffhtly darker in colour than last year.

Many splendid clips lost competition owing to lack of skirting and general attention. ' As there is a heavy duty on wool going Into the United States, i;yers from that country are unable to' hid for , such clips as t'hey cannot afford to pay duty on skirtings, vendors thus, losing the benefit of that competition. The following table gives the range of prices realised, with November, 1928, prices shown as a comparison.

*There were a few lots of extra super halfbred wools, showing a great yield, which brought from lGi to 19d, this being the top price for the season so far. Usual buyers for this class- of vool dropped out at from 14$ d to 15d, and two buyers carried on to the higher figures, the lots eventually falling to a Russian operator, who evidently had to have the wool at all costs.

LONDON WOOL SALES. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON", November 25. At the wool sales 10,967 bales were offered, including 3224 New Zealand. There was a moderate offering of greasy Merinos suitable all sections, a plentiful supply of scoureds, a fair lot of New Zealand, mostly Merinos and halfbreds. There was a steady -market, with prices unchanged. Greasy crossbreds, Castle Hill, 13% d to 13% d; Merino, Mesopotamia, loYzd to 14% d. Bradford tops market is slow, with quotations slightly easier all round.

November November - 1021). 1928. Merino average. Fine Halfbred--5G/5S* Super A 23 to 25 Average 20 to 221 Inferior •',■"*■■'• — Medium Halfbred —BO/5G Super 14 to 15J -r Average 12 to 13i 18 to 10 i Inferior ...... ,■ — , , T~. Coarse Halfbred —48/50 . s Su'per ........ 125 to 131 18 to 19 Average .11 to 12 17 J to 18 Inferior 9J to 10J lujtolfj Fine Crossbred—40/48 Super 12i tolSi 17 to 19 ' Average 102 to 12 13 to 17$ Inferior 1) to 10J 14 to 14$ Medium Crossbred—44/46 Super.... 113tol2?i 16J to 18 Average .,.... 10* to 11J 14 to 1(J Inferior 8J to 10 ltfi to 15 Coarse Crossbred —40/44 Super ......... 11 to 12 14 to 153 Average ...... 0:1 to 10? 123 to 14J Inferior , 8 to 91 10J to 12 Low Crossbred —80/40 Super — 131 to 143 Avofnge ., 05 to 102 US to 13* Inferior ...... 7 J to 8i 10 to 11 j Hoggets Super — IS to 21 Fine 13 to 14 17J to 193 Medium 12 to 13 10J to 183 Coarse ... llj-to 12J 14 to 10J Lnrtibs Fine, 44/50 ... — 1G to 18i Medium, 40/4-t — — Seedy & inferior . — — Bellies and Pieces Halfbred— Super — lGi to 17ii Crossbred: — Good to super . 8 to f»i 13J to 15J Low to medium GJ to 7J 11 to 133 Cru tellings. Medium to good 7 to 8£ 11J to 13 Infer, to seedy 4J to 7 8 to 10 Loqks. Halfbred — — Crossbred 42 to 7J 7 to 9