WOOL OUTPUT IN NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25554, 23 July 1948, Page 11

WOOL OUTPUT IN NEW ZEALAND

DECREASE REPORTED LAST SEASON

Wool production in New Zealand last season was estimated at 862,964 bales, or 32,763 bales fewer than in the previous season. Of .the 1947-48 clip, all but 32,000 bales, whfeh Went to the United Kingdom, was sold in New Zealand.

Giving these figures in its annual report, the New Zealand Wool Board attributes the decrease in last season's clip to poor growing conditions in certain districts; climatic conditions which favoured early and uninterrupted shearing; and an inclination for growers to pack heavier bales, with the lifting of the order that single bales should not exceed 4001 b.

"Generally tha clip opened up slightly below average," stated the report. “Crossbreds in particular were not well grown, a large proportion being short in staple because of seasonal conditions which permitted the early and uninterrupted shearing, and pre-lambing shearing, which has increased in popularity in the South Island. There has been a marked increase in the amount of lambs’ wool.

“The outstanding feature of the season has been the strength of Continental buying. Bradford operated moderately during the early part, but after the Christmas recCss Continental competition predominated, with France, Holland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Russia each dominating the market at some period. The United States and Canada have not lifted any weight, the buying of the former Ijeing more especially carpet typds, and Canadian purchases have been mainly blanket wools. The local mills have throughout the season bought freely best merinos and half-breeds.” CEYLON TEA MARKET (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) COLOMBO, July 21. Offeirngs totalled 3.180,0001 b at the Ceylon tea sales to-d6y. There was fair general demand, but leaf grades were especially wanted. High-grown broken orange pekoes realised 202 cents per lb, good medium broken Orange pekoes 164 cents, medium liquoring broken orange pekoes 132 cents, low medium broken orange pekoes, 128 cents.