Prospects For Wool Remain “Reasonable”

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28129, 19 November 1956, Page 6

Prospects For Wool Remain “Reasonable”

“While there has been, and still is, a considerable threat from synthetics, the incomparable qualities of the natural wool are still commanding the notice of users, and a reasonable future for wool production can be envisaged,’’ said the chairman of the British Wool Marketing Mr Ivor Morris, in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Morris farms 700 acres in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire. He is visiting the South Island after attending the Institute of Grasslands Congress at Palmerston North. “With the present near balance between consumption and production we look at the problem not without some optimism,” said Mr Morris. But producers must recognise that their product must be kept before potential buyers through the meduim of attractive advertising, and “I commend the extremely valuable work that is being carried out by the International Wool Secretariat in the highly populated centres.” Producers in New Zealand contributed to this work, but they did not see it at first hand, said Mr Morris. To a question on the immediate effects of the disturbed world situation on wool markets. Mr Morris said: “It is having a temporary effect through the disturbance of the flow of wool, but it cannot be overlooked that a temporary high price brought about by short offerings in „ consuming quarters is most likely to be offset by a reduced demand when accumulated stocks become available. Both conditions are essentially temporary in the present state of affairs.”

“Movements of prices brought about by political uncertainties are an unsettling factor to all concerned with wool.” he said, “and it must be the aim of all wool people to seek for a steady demand which brings about stable conditions so valuable to the industry.”

On his Cotswold property farming was in complete contrast to the General single-nurpose farms in New Zealand. said Mr Morris. He runs beef cattle, sheen, pigs and poultry and grows cereals and grass, cocksfoot and clover for seed production. “In the sheep enterprise we have made a particular study of prolificacy and for many years now we have bred only from twins, whether ewes or rams. Last year, our lambing percentage was 186 per cent. It is common practice to breed from ewe lambs in their first year and to retain in the, flock only ewes which have so bred.” Of New Zealand farming. Mr Morris said he had gained an impression of “a commendably high wool n " sciousness amongst growers and a high utilisation of oastures. which had responded to the excellent efforts towards improvement made by the occupiers.” He said he had seen little of the handling of wool in the stores, but what he had seen had demonstrated the meticulous care taken by brokers in nresenting New Zealand wool for sale.