FARMS IN SOVIET

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28179, 18 January 1957, Page 11

FARMS IN SOVIET

New Drive For Efficiency

(Rec. 12.5 a.m.) MOSCOW, January 16. The Kremlin today called for a halt to inefficiency and confusion in the use of resources and manpower in Soviet agriculture —the same faults as it condemned In industry last month. A long appeal from the Communist Party's Central Committee and the Russian Government to all farm workers said that 1956 had brought big increases in the production of almost all farm produce except meat, which is described as the most neglected sector of agricultural production. The year 1956, with its record grain harvest, had marked the beginning of the successful fulfilment of the tasks of the sixth five-year plan, the appeal said. However, in agriculture, internal reserves were little used, there were big shortcomings in the organisation of manpower, and resources were dispersed. As a result investments did not give quick returns in agricultural production. The appeal indicated that agricultural production must be boosted by better use of existing resources, rather than as. in the past, by vast schemes to increase productive areas.

DEMAND FOR WOOL

Good Prices In Australia MELBOURNE, January 17. After the improved demand at this week's Australian wool sales, values are now only slightly below the season’s peak point registered early in December, the “Melbourne Herald” wool writer reported today. Based on ruling values the Australian clip is worth £9B a bale, a return which asures buoyant prosperity for the -wool-growing industry. Buyers found no difficulty in lifting the substantial offerings in Melbourne. Sydney and Perth this week, and under widespread demand prices, compared with the previous week, increased on the average by 2i per cent.

In keeping with the trend usually experienced in a strongly rising market coarser qualities •old particularly well. There is still a pronounced price margin in favour of the finer types. For example, on a clean scoured basis medium Merino (64 s) is 40 per cent, higher than a fine cross-bred (56’s).

In spite of changing fashions and various other factors influencing demand in the sale rooms, it is certain that Merino types, the world's best raw material for apparel, will always command preference, the writer claims.

The demand for comebacks and crossbreds was particularly keen at the Melbourne sale, and values were now fully equal to the highest rates of the season. Crossbreds predominated, and included some light conditioned wools from the north-east.

The sales terminated with a very buoyant market, prices showing a general firming tendency on yesterday. Crossbred prices included: 108 d for super 60 64's. 96d for super 56's. 84d for super 50's.