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Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13910, 8 December 1910, Page 5

turns to indicate that they havo re- j ceived any preference for the wool in the costly packs. In a case last year ■where an owner classed his wool carefully, and put equal quantities into different packs, the prices, cam© out exactly equal. Generally, when a proportion of wool is baled in expensive packs, it is only the leading lines, while second qualities and faulty sorts go into ordinary packs. It is impossible to discover any preference in such a case, because buyers are so keen on good wools, and unappreciative of faulty sorts. However, when prices are compared for similar wools in varying packs, it is very hard to discover even the slightest trace of preference having been given to any line. The writer goes on to say that no one is reaily astonished at this, because no one really believed in the mythical preference which buyers are supposed to give for wool in superior" packs. The main point with the buyer is to secure superior wool, irrespective of packs. It is plain, however, that under existing conditions there is no probability of the general adoption of paper-lined packs by our woolgrowers until some definite arrangement is made whereby the cost of tho packs to the grower is brought to n reasonable point. Tho only legitimate thing to do it is to make a cash allowance when buying the wool, and pass this on to the ultimate user, so that he can sell the packs and recoup himself. Probably a fair compromise between buyer "and grower would be this: that if improved packs are used for good wools, such as will protect the wool ; from jute fibres, etc., tho buyers should forego the lib per cwt. draft on wool, which would about cover the additional cost of the improved pack. THE AUSTRALIAN TvOOL TRADE. The .Australian wool sales are proceeding satisfactorily, and according to the 'Sydney Mail" of the 23rd ult. 319,000 bales had been sold in Sydney to date, nt what are considered as very remunerative prices from tho producers' point of view. There is still no improvement in tho position of shortstapled, poorly-grown wools carrying a large amount of trefoil burr, but the tendency of the market for everything else continues to bo in the direction of increased firmness which is all tho more gratifying because, for some two months or more in the past, great efforts havo heen steadily made in somo of the leading manufacturing centres to weaken the wool position by offers to sell tops forward at prices a long way below current prices, whilst a "bear" tone has of lato been distinctly noticeable in the letters and articles written by expert wool corre_-_-ondents in Europe. The most has been made of the depression in the American branch of the trade, of the prospect ot a big increase in the Australasian wool supply this season, and of the selling i forward at lower prices, by theso j writers: but, in spite of much croaking, and some very confident predictions that values would ease down substantially in November, great buoyancy has so far continued to characterise all ihe Australian markets. The strong position in these markets is due to the operations of the German and French buyers. These buyers steadily absorb the bulk of the offerings, and the buying on Yorkshire account 1. comparatively smnll. Of late the Amoricans havo shown signs of being desirous of securing a little wool, but they are exercising extreme caution this season, as was only to bo expected after their unfortunate experiences cf a year ago. Such, wools as they ran up to 18d per lb a year ago they now want to buy at under 15d per lb, and there is often a difference of from bd to 4d per lb lietween tho price realised last season for some of tho specially good wools and those now forthcoming for tho same descriptions of the staple Tho Japanese are buying freely, for them, and havo already secured rather more wool than had fallen .o .heir bids at this time 'ast year. They aro now doing practically all their own buying', and there are two or threeuew buyers from that part of tho'world operating in Sydney .thisseason. When this trade first started, the Japanese orders all came through some of the English or Continental buying houses, but now there are j four or"five Japanese buying firms doing business on their own account in thc Sydney market, and they no longer require the assistance of anyone. It will indeed be a matter for surprise if the textile manufacturing industry in Japan fails to grow by leaps and bounds. In a few moro years they will probably be very large buyers of Australian wool, as their mills are being equaled with the very best machinery obtainablo, and their labour conditions give thorn a great pull over manufacturers in other countries, even in highly protected countries, for protection raises wages and costs of j-roduc-tion all round. The way in which woo! is selling in Australia and at Homo gives promise of a good sale in Christchurch. this week.