WOOL OUTLOOK OVERSEAS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26120, 24 May 1950, Page 9

WOOL OUTLOOK OVERSEAS

NO LEANING TOWARDS SYNTHETICS

IMPRESSIONS OF N.Z. DELEGATION (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, May 23. The demand for wool in Continental countries in preference to synthetic limes I was an interesting point noted oy Messrs J. A.cTana ana H. j. Warden wnen tney visited Italy, Switzerland, and France after attending an executive meeting ot me interantional Wool. Secretariat in London, at which they represented tne New Zealand Wool Boara. They were accompanied by Mr K. G. Lund, chairman of tne secretariat, and New Zealand’s representative on in. The New Zealanders found that the countries which were compelled to accept synthetic fibres during the (war now fuliy appreciated the value of wool. Both in Italy and Switzerland they learned that ■ people avoid using fibres if they possibly I can, though there were indications that i Italy's standard of living will oblige the i use of a proportion oi fibres lor some I time to come. The rise in the use of I (lores before the war in countries such i as Italy was not due to normal trade . demands, tney observed, but to the policy i of the Axis Powers in preparing for war I when they knew that wool would be de- ' nied them. | The Secretariat is establishing a branch at Milan and, in addition to inspecting | the offices to be occupied there, the New j Zealanders also visited three mills some 130 miles north-west of the city. They ■ ,n ?t manufacturers and were Impressed ' with the quality of goods produced, csI pecially cloths from the Zegna mills at Tnvero, and carpets from Borgosesia, which are guaranteed for 20 years. “Italy has many problems yet to overcome, and her standard of living is still low, but her currency and government appear to be stable,” they observed. "H* the progress made In Italy in the last few years continues, it will become a very important wool-using country, and the Milan office will rank second only in importance to the Paris office in Europe.'' In Switzerland the New Zealanders went to the Secretariat’s office in Zurich, where they also met manufacturers. ' Switzerland has a high standard of living and the people appreciate and are prepared to pay for high quality,” the New Zealanders remarked, adding that wool and wool materials could be expected to find an increasingly important market in Switzerland. Expansion of Activities In Paris tney were present at the opening of the tapestry and furnishing exhibition arranged by the Secretariat's office. Before their visit to the Continent, Messrs Acland and Wardell took part in discussions by the Secretariat’s executive on the further expansion of activities in .the United States and western Europe. Before leaving lor New Zealand on June 8 they will visit woollen mills in Scotland and Yorkshire. While en route to England, via the United Stales, they examined methods oi wool-growing and inquired into the fall ol production in the United States; It is now about half what it Was before the war, and the decline of the wool output in this and other American States is responsible for America becoming an important wool importer during recent years, thereby influencing world prices. Messrs Acland and Wardell found that it was possible to form only general impressions —to obtain the full background it would have been advisable to have gone to Texas, which they were unable to do in the limited time at their disposal—but one important reason for the decline in wool production was explained. This was the high prices ruling for other farm produce, together with the high cost and scarcity of labour. Wool men had switched from wool to the lamb trade which they found profitable since lamb sold at 79 cents, or about 5s 6d per lb in the Eastern States and paid better than wool. The New Zealanders learned that in the fattening areas a ewe was selected for its size and conformation and ability to produce a large lamb: wool quality was a secondary consideration. Messrs Acland and Wardell agreed that wherever they went, either in the United States, the United Kingdom, or the Continent. they were met with the greatest friendliness and goodwill, Mr Lund will not accompany Messrs Acland and Wardell to Soctland and Yorkshire. He will Leave London by air shortly for the United States to attend the half-yearly meeting of directors of Wool Bureau Incorporated. This body is an amalgamation of the American Wool Council and the International Wool Secretariat. NO DECLINE EXPECTED WINCHCOMBE, CARSON’S REVIEW (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY. May 23. Wlnchcombe, Carson’s Annual Wool Review states that record prices and quick selling will make 1949-50 the most successful wool-marketing year Australia has ever experienced. It is estimated that the clip will realise £245,000,000. as against £194,589,170 last year. The review says there is no reason to expect a decline in wool consumption and argues that, if anything, the trend is for an increase in the number of people wearing woollen The world clip is now about 12,433,000 bales—6oo,ooo bales less than the pre-war average.

STOCK SALES TEMUKA “The Press” Special Service TIMARU, May 23. Values were inclined to harden for the best* sorts in the offering of 70 head of fat cattle at to-day’s sale at Temuka, but overall the demand was not keen. The entry of store cattle included a number of well-bred calves. The yarding of 3099 fat lambs included a number of prime heavy sorts, but the demand was keen and values held very firm. Competition lor prime heavy ewes and wethers in the large entry of fat sheep was also keen, values appreciating 2s to 3s a head on recent rates. Store sheep were not offered in quotable numbers. Values were:— Fat Cattle. —Fat steers, best £2O 2s 6d to £23 17s 6d. others £l6 to £l9 17s 6d. Fat Heifers.—Best. £l4 to £l5 17s 6d; others, £ll to £l3 17s 6d. Fat Cows.—Best. £l2 to £l3 17s 6d; I medium, £9 to £ll 17s 6d; light, £7 to j £8 7s 6d. Store and Dairy Cattle.—Yearling heifers and steers, £5 to £7 7s 6d; two-year-old heifers. £6 10s to £9; two-year-old steers, £9 to £lO 2s 6d. Calves.—Best. £6 to £8 12s 6d: medium, £4 to £5 17s 6d: small. £2 to £3 17s 6d. Empty cows, to £6 17s 6d: springing cows and heifers. £l2 to £l7 10s. Fat Sheep and Lambs.—Fat wethers: extra prime, 67s to 70s lOd; prime, 64s to 66s lOd: medium, 58s to 63s 10d; light, 50s to 575. Fat Ewes.—Extra heavy prime. 50s to 555; prime. 44s to 49s lOd; medium, 38s to 435: light, 32s to 375. Fat Lambs.—Prime heavy, 64s to 67s Id: prime. 58s to 635; medium to good. 53s to 575; light, 46s to 525; inferior, 42s to 455. ASHBURTON

In the early part of the Ashburton stock sale yesterday, fat wethers were up about 4s a head on last week’s rates, but prices eased when the last race w-as offered. There was a firm sale for fat ewes! The yarding was smaller than last week. Fat wethers realised up to 54s for medium grade, up to 64s for prime, and up to 72s Id for extra prime, the latter price being realised by J. W. Watson and Son (Pendarves). Fat ewes sold up to 37s for medium quality, up to 44s for prime sorts, and u.p to 50s 7d for extra prime. The top price was obtained by F. W. Reesby (Lyndhurst). There was a fair yarding of stores. Haltbred wether lambs sold from 34s to 425, and ewe lambs from 35s to 48s. A line of 220 mixed-age ewes sold at 40s. and two-tooth wethers realised from 51s to 565. RANGIORA About 42 ewes were sold for 34s at the Rangiora stock sale yesterday. Eight weaners sold from 21s to 275, and springing heifers made from £7 10s to £l4. MINING Austral New Zealand.—The company reports from Cromwell that for tfle 14 days ended May 20 the dredge operated for 247 hours and produced 140 ounces of bullion.— (P.A.) Clutha River.—The dredge worked 123 hours in the week ended May 19 for a return of 870 z.— (P.A.)