BRITAIN’S WOOL SUPPLY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26451, 19 June 1951, Page 9

BRITAIN’S WOOL SUPPLY

LOWEST STOCKS ON RECORD (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.J LONDON, June 18. Official figures show that wool stocks in the United Kingdom are the lowest ever recorded, with a noticeable decline in crossbreds, says the International Wool Secretariat special news service. This suggests that Britain is now beginning to feel the gap in New Zealand wool arrivals, resulting from the prolonged dispute there. In both Merinos and crossbreds there is a doubt whether Britain has enough wool to maintain mill activity at the current level until next season’s clips arrive. for trade stocks are low and there are practically no Joint Organisation surplus wools to make good this deficiency. This might seem to point to sustained values, but, in fact, prices still show a general trend in favour of buyers. Tops Quotations Tops quotations, which show relatively little change, are as follows:—7o's. “A." 276 d per lb; 64's, “A” 254 d and "B” 242 d; 60’s, super, 230 d; 58’s, super, 210 d; 56’s, super. 190 d; 50’s, 135 d; 48’s, 130 d; 46’s, 129 d per lb. GROCERY NOTES American Dried Fruit.—No decision regarding import licences has yet been announced. and bv now many items offered have probably been withdrawn. However, a few packers have accepted orders from New Zealand, subject to import licences being granted, so some supplies are reserved pending decision. Currants from this source are also under offer, and these may be of interest as they could be shipped earlier than those already ordered from Greek suppliers. Lids and Seals for Preserving Jars.— Arrangements are well in hand for the supply of next season’s requirements, which are expected to reach New Zealand in August or September. There will be no change in price, but a new method of packing has been adopted so that housewives may purchase inserts and screw bands separately as required. Each unit will contain one dozen of either inserts or bands and will retail at 2d as against 4d for the old style combination unit. Spices.—Now that higher costing imports are being released by manufacturers, prices of processed goods have taken a fairly sharp rise. Some have remained stable, but the following increases appear in the latest list issued by a Dunedin manufacturer:—2oz packing of mixed spice is up by slightly over Id; cayenne nepper by Id, ground cloves and ground mace by 2d, ground nutmegs by 4d, and pickling spice by Id. Other packings are up in proportion. Freight Rates.—Many United Kingdom and European exporters have withdrawn c.i.f. quotations and substituted f.o.b. prices because of the uncertainty in relation to shipping charges. It is therefore Impossible to estimate any but an approximate cost on any given product, but it is certain that the increase on bulk items such as salt, heavy chemicals, dates, sago, and tapioca will be considerable, as freight forms a major part of the landed cost. Packet Soups.—An Auckland packer has advanced his price by 2d a packet owing to higher costs of peas and packing material. A Dunedin firm packing a similar product has not yet advised any alteration. Honey.—Revised prices were gazetted on May 31, but local sellers did not take notice of the advance until last week. New retail prices are now effective, however, and 11b pottles are selling at Is 74d. 21b 2s lljd, 51b tins 7s 6}d, and 101 b tins 14s Id. Honey and Glucose D are still selling freely as substitutes for sugar, and lately a maple syrup product has come 'nto prominence. Jelly Crystals.—Quotations have been received from South Africa, but landed cost would be higher than local rates, and as stocks held are in good compass, it is not likely that any interest will be shown in the South African product. Most of the higher grade local packs now retail at 9d. Peanut Kernels.—Java shippers have quoted for August and November shipments, and price is about 3d per lb above last season’s, but this is in line with most other overseas products. In spite of the Increased price, stocks will be welcome, as. the last consignment received here was condemned on account of insect infestation, and consequently stocks held are practically nil. Canned Fruit.—A very small shipment of Australian fruit has arrived after a long delay; cargo was unloaded in Auckland and stored there until a coastal vessel brought it on to Lyttelton. Storage, transhipping, and extra freight charges are payable by consignees, and these extra costs are ultimately borne by consumers. From South Africa a few cases of youngberries have also landed; they are similar to boysenberries, and considerable quantities were bought, but owing to crop failure all orders were drastically cut. Cigarette Papers.— Stacks of rice paper are temporarily short, and manufacturers in New Zealand have had to ration supplies. During the war stocks of French papers were imported, but as these were ’ singles” and the popular pack is for doubles," they were not very acceptable to smokers. Now, however, they may prove very useful should the output of local manufacturers be more seriously curtailed. Hair Cream.—An advance of nearly 4s a dozen came into effect on Moxday, June '.B. and the new retail price is 2s 6d a jar pr tube. This product is sold under a trade name.

AUSTRALIAN COPPER PRICES RISE

The price of electrolytic copper in Australia, both to producers and consumers, was increased on Friday by £3O a ton to £260 a ton, which is double the price ruling in 1947. On December 18 of last year the price was increased by £l5 to £230 a ton. The current United States price is 27J cents per lb (equivalent to £A275 a ton), and the British Ministry of Supply’s price is £stg.234 (£A292 10s). The maximum price in Australia for first quality scrap copper has also been increased by a rise of £5O to £250 a ton.