WOOL AT SAN FRANCISCO.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15464, 17 December 1915, Page 8

WOOL AT SAN FRANCISCO.

HIGH TRIBUTES AT EXHIBITION

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITS THE

BEST,

'FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

SAN FRANCISCO, November 22

Probably the highest tribute ever paid to the wool of New Zealand was that offered by tho American Woolgrowers' Association at their important annual conference held at San Francisco, California, as a side feature of the Panama-Pacific Exposition live stock contests, where the New Zealand exhibits captured the bulk of the leading prizes.

Mr. C. A. Kimble presided over tho proceedings at tho two days' conference; the delegates were enthusiastically' welcomed to San Francisco by Mr. D. O. Lively, tho Exposition chief of tho livo stock department. Mr. Lively said that of all the exhibitors Zealand ranked in a class distinctly superior to all others in tho wool-growing industry. The Dominion had shown some magnificent Romneys, which everybody had admired, and had some ewes been included in tho New Zealand shipment tho all-round excellent Itomney rams would have been disposed of much more rapidly.

In the course of a rigorous address, the- Hon. Frank J. Higginbooth, of Salt Lake City, president of the National wool-growers' Association of America, said: "America is in a disastrous position, for every succeeding year sees tho flocks reduced and no effort made to improve conditions. Tho great State of Montana has actually decreased 50 per cent, during tho last throw years, and tho other big sheep-raising sections of the United States are following similarly. In proportion to tho area and the consuming power of tho population, England produces five times moro sheep than America. Tho evident fault with America is the lack of proper animals. Tho stock must bo vastly improved, for a range will only produce 6ilbs for market in proportion to 161bs on the farm. Lambs-can bo marketed up to Solbs, instead of G2Jlbs on the range. There is a golden opportunity in the American sheep industry to-day, but quality is required in the wool account, and not mere quantity. This is tho lesson from leaders of thought to tho farmers of tho United States in tho woollen industry. With its world of rango and foothills, the State of California is pre-eminently suited for sheep-raising, and by easy development its present million of sheep could be quintupled. Wool is as important as gunpowder. Preparedness demands sheep and wool, and if we were invaded by Canadians— and nobody knows what might occur nowadays—how in the world could wo fight in a campaign? { Wo could not clothe an army as we have no wool! Wo would bo bottled up, as wo have not half enough wool in times of peace to servo army purposes. Then there is the meat supply, which is decreasing, and tho time is approaching when all America will realise tho necessity of tho nation. In a _ few years sheep will bo practically wiped out of existence in tho United States, and American wool-growers must recognise, not the desirability, but tho absoluto necessity, of having a good supply of sheep" on hand. We must have, the proper quality to meet this demand. "America takes a back seat in tho wool industry. We Americans who liavo had tho pleasure, of seeing tho New Zealand display of wool in bale and lock form at the Exposition ought to bo ashamed to admit that wo are in tho wool business. To all intents and purposes wo are simply not in it. Tho New Zealand exhibit is absolutely tho finest show of wool that has ever been seen in America. We pret'end to be a civilised, progressive people, vet we are acting like a pack of barbarian savages in Utah, Wyoming, and California as regards the wool industry. We are too circumscribed, and must educate ourselves on the progressive lines of New Zealand." (Applause.) Mr. Edmund Clifton, CommissionerGeneral for New Zealand, gave an address on wool-growing in New Zealand. He exhaustively dealt with New Zealand sheep-brooding methods, and aroused the deepest interest among his hearers, who frequently interrupted his remarks with questions, desiring further details. A significant outcome, of Mr. Clifton's address was -that it so favourably impressed his American hearers that he was subsequently besieged with apneak to address sheep associations in El Paso. Texas, Salt Lake City, and other widely-separated centres. "