WOOL PROSPECTS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22796, 23 August 1939, Page 13

WOOL PROSPECTS

THE. IMPROVED DEMAND

FIRM PRICES PREDICTED

The monthly wool bulletin of Winchcombe. Carson, Ltd., issued on August 8, forecasts - a better market for the forthcoming clip than that experienced last year. . ' .' Australia faces brighter prospects for the sale of the new clip than was the case a year ago, the bulletin states. She will produce more saleable, bettergrown wool, giving in most cases heavier weights a _ sheep, which will command competition from a wider range of buyers. Competition for a large proportion ■ of the last season s clip was limited because of its faulty growth, resulting from drought conditions over a wide area of country. ‘ Milhnen abroad are in much better heart to engage in the purchase ox the raw material than 12 months previously. Activity at-the mills-in practically all countries, except Japan, has been greater-during the last seven months than in-the similar period of 1938. The increased volume of manufacturing turnover has admittedly been largely caused by work on uniform materials. That business may not continue at the specially accelerated rate .of ■ recent months, but increased military and naval forces, once established, must be maintained in equipment and clothing as renewals become necessary. The consumption of wool on that account is, therefore, likely to be larger in the future than during recent years. The expenditure on rearmament generalty has increased employment and distributed more money among the people, thereby expanding public purchasing power. It must also increase taxation, which in turn detracts from the improvement previously mentioned; but in spite of that aspect the tendency is to give the great bulk of. the population more spending money. In June, combing machinery was more active in Bradford than for some years. Buyers ,of fabrics were also showing greater confidence, and were more freely entering into contracts for future supplies in place qf the hand-to-mouth policy pursued for a'Jong period.: A shortage of stocks in. the shops was reported in cases, and some delay was being experienced in securing supplies. Apparently caution in purchasing has been carried too far.- . . , Since the reduction in duties on English goods entering the United States, the .United Kingdom has exported fabrics to that country with much greater freedom. -.Woollens and worsteds totalling 4,309,000 square yards were shipped from Great Britain to America during the five months ending May. an increase of 2,394.000 square yards on the 1938 figures for the period. This development supplies some evidence of the advantages arising from the freer trade of which the, world’s commerce generally is so much in need. In spite of the larger Imports the American mills have shown increased activity compared: with a year before. If similar concessions were generally available there is little doubt that trade as a whole would be brighter, and wool bs-well as other raw materials would be in stronger demand. Recent-experiences do not stimulate the idea that wool is likely to become decidedly dearer in the immediate future, but they do not suggest a recession in values. The evidence rather poinis- to firm prices? and possibly-some Improvement In rates for the new clip.

RAMS FOR NEW * ZEALAND

THREE BOUGHT AT ' WATFORD

: (rank oub oym coBMWPOironfT.) LONDON, July «. ." Three .Southdown shearling rams were' bought for New Zealahd'fartnera when> the ' Aldenham flock, the property of Mr J. Pierpont Morgan. Watwas sold last . week. Aldenham 585 of 1838 was bought for Mr W. O’Malley (Greymouth) lor 115 guineas.. It' won a third' prize in the Oxfordshire and Three Counties Show in 4838. It will be' shipped to New Zealand, via Australia, in September, by MesaraDalgety and Com* pony. v' : ‘ ’Aldenham 549 of ; 1038 was bought for: Mr S. Hughes (Maxwell). for 78 guineas. . It won third prize at the Tring Show last year, first, champion and cup at toe Oxford Show in 1938, a third at the Royal Counties, and a fourth af tfae Royal Show this year.. Aldenham 541 of 1938 was purchased lor 50 .guineas for Mr A, A. Venry (Waitotara). - Bothrthese rams will-be shipped by the New Zealand .Loan and Mercantile in September. The Kent -Sheep-Breeders’ Association recently considered an application to; enter\in its Flock Book two one-shear Romney rams bred in New Zealand'and entered in the New Zealand Flock Book; It has been decided by the council that while these rams cannot be accepted for registration in the Flock Book, it either of them is purchased by a member of.the Association, arrangements will be made so that "they can be .used in the purchaser’s flock , and the progeny be eligible for registration. : f These Tams were sent to England by Mr R.' W. Matthews. (Featherstone). >

IRRESPONSIBLE SHOOTERS

FURTHER; COMPLAINTS The publicity given recently to the shooting of stockJn'the back country byirresponsible persons does not appear" to, have , done much -tostop the ’ practice.' :* -The other ’, day* a North. Canterbury sheepbwner, going round his: flock, heard a fusillade of shots from an adjoining paddock. He investigated - and came across three youths, each armed with- a ,303 rifle. What-they had to. fire at with such flreanhs he. did hot know, as the property is bn. the coast , and milesaway from the deer, country. .On another part of the property a few days after he, found; a favourite* pony shot dead. It had been gracing on the hill side and had apparently., been shot from a lower level, as. the bullet had entered-the nose'and. travelled .up to the bram .

' Although.the number at horses xecprded in the Dominion as at January 31 this, year showed a decline of 3364 on that of last year, the 1938 total was th® largest for some years. The number had increased from 272,986 in 1935 to 278,16? "in ' 1938. The figures . include’ “all*' horses—draughts, hacks, gallopers, and' trotters. ILater figures separate the classes as far as draughts and half-draughts'are concerned. ‘The increase in recent years represented a. jjpod jypppjtion of heavier *