N.Z. WOOL COMMITTEE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18013, 4 March 1924, Page 8

N.Z. WOOL COMMITTEE.

SHOULD IT BE CONTINUED ?

'feom a special correspondent.) WELLINGTON, March 3. By request of the ~Se\v Zealand Woolbrokers' Association, the New Zealand "Wool Commit toe exercised its functions during the current wool season. Of course, this was with the consent of the Government. The main, if not the only task ihe Committee undertook during tho season was the fixing of the maximum quantities of wool to be offered at the saics. The Committee's functions in this respect have ended, for there is practically very little wool left in New Zealand, and no centre is likely to have a big wool sale m Mareh. The question now arises: should the New Zealand Wool Committee be continued, or should it 1.0 allowed to pass out ot existence, and tho regulation ol woo! offerings be discontinued;'

Tho formation ot" tho New Zealand Wool Committee was the direct result of negotiations with the British-Aus-tralasian Wool Realisation Association. In April, 1021, Mr A. E. Mabin, of Wellington, was authorised to enquire into the objects and methods of B.A.W.K.A. and whether it would be desirable for New Zealand to fall in with the B.A.W.R.A. scheme for the fixing of minimum, reserves on wool, and tho allocation of quantities to be offered at the sales. Mr Mabin reported in favour of according B.A.W.R.A. every assistance, and his suggestion that Now Zealand should coulorm to the policy of fixation and limitation as the Australian growers and brokers had agreed to was accepted. It was in conformity with this that the New Zealand Wool Committee was set up. Cn June 23rd, 1921, tho Board of Trade (Wool Industry; Regulations were gazetted, and in a supplement to tho Gazette of the samo date the Wool Committee was set up, and under the regulations they were authorised to limit the quantities of wool to be offered at the sales, and this system of allocating the quantities offered at auctions has been going ou since then. * The New Zealand Wool Committee's functions terminated last .September, but the system of limitation was found to he so advantageous that the IScw Zealand wool brokers at the annual meeting of the Association passed a resolution requesting the \Vool Committee to continue to function. The consent of the Government having been obtained the Committee continued its work during tho current season. A. little unpleasantness was disclosed in respect to the allocations for the January sales, the Wanganui wool brokers being dissatisfied with the quantity allotted them raised a storm of protest and appealed to the Minister for relief.

Some brokers and grower?* are of opinion that the Wool Committee having carried out the work for which it was originally appointed should now pass into oblivion, others again are of the opinion that regulation of tho wool offerings is essential and it will not matter whether it is the Wool Committee or some other organisation that undertakes the regulation to long as there.is regulation. The latter contend that in regulating quantities to be offered at auction no new principle is being introduced into the trade. For years the wool trade in London and Australia have been subject to the regulation of quantities to be- offered.

Some members in the trade maintain, that there is no need for any such governing body as a Wool Committee since the wool buyers by their stipulations haxe fixed the limit. The Wool Buyers' Association, stipulated that there shall not be more than 3500 lots with a minimum average of seven bales per lot for any reqular sale in the North Island. This gives 24,500 bales, but fcy reducing the numbei of lots the quantity can be reduced and by increasing the average per lot the quantity can l>e greatly increased. At (the last "Wellington sale the average per lot was just over nine bales, and to secure this there was considerable interlotting, which some growers seined to resent.

In pre-war days when the quantity of wool offered at the local sales was comparatively trifling, regulating the offerings may not have been necessary, hut now between 80, per cent, and SO per cent, of the clip is marketed in New Zealand, and regulating the offering seems imperative. London and Australia have found it necessary to regulate, and it is hardly likely that New Zealand's experience be different. Assuming that regulation is necessary, then the question arises whether this work should be undertaken by the Wool Committee, or by £i substitute voluntary orgniiisation. The New Zealand Wool Committee gets its powers xmder the Board of Trade Act, 1919, and thus possesses legal authority. An elected body or voluntary organisation would not stand in the same position, and its authority would be set at defiance by any Wool brokers Association that may feel dissatisfied. Unfortunately co-operation for mutual benefit does not flourish in New Zealand business circles, and in a matter of this kind it is only a body with powers conferred on it by Vhe authority of Parliament that can enforce respect for its decisions. A voluntary body would be flouted.

! MAORIS AS DAIRY FARMERS I A POVERTY BAY SCHEME. « (SPECIAX. TO "THE PRESS.") GISBORXE, March 1. An important subject brought before the Maori Land Board was an application by various bodies of incorporated owners of Native lariu for a recommendation that they be permitted to borrow money for the purpose of investing it in the dairy industry. From the particulars disclosed by Mr J. G. Nolan, acting for the natives, it appears that there is a desire on the part of the "Waiapu Natives to start the dairy industry among them. A sum of about £IO,OOO is to be raised, which is to be utilised in sectring up-to-date buildings and plant, which it is intended shall be a; co-operative concern under the control of the Maori suppliers. Tho exact details have not yet been worked out, but it was said the Natives were very anxious to see the project set on foot. The Board resolved to issue the necessary recommendation in each case, at the same time pointing out certain steps which should be taken to guard the interests of the beneficial owners.

THE GOLDEN FLEECE. (special to "the pbess.'l DUNJEDIN, March 3. The Dunedin wool agents have nc/fc 6o far brought their calculations to a figure showing the increased value per hale as compared with me January auctions here, hut it is understood tho advance will be found to be anything from 30s to £3 per bale all round, and if that be accepted and the Otago wool has really gone up say, £2 per bale, the price may average about £2B per bale, or £392,000 for 14,000 bales.