Fears Result Of High Wool Price

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30529, 26 August 1964, Page 10

Fears Result Of High Wool Price

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 25. Concern that the effect of last season's high wool prices would be to “bog down” the Agricultural Development Conference was expressed at the annual meeting of the electoral college by the chairman of the Wool Board (Mr J. Acland) today.

“I know this implies pome criticism of ourselves, for we and the other boards and farming organisations are active participants in the conference,” said Mr Acland. “The point is we cannot be assured of continuing high prices. The past year’s wool income has been close to a record one. Receipts are up by £3O million on the 1962-63 season, but everyone should remember that the targets for increased livestock are based on a greasy price for wool of 42d a pound. The average for the five years preceding this last season was 40.6 d a pound. “We cannot afford to say that because of high prices this year, we can now forget about targets. They are all the more necessary because during the past year the rate of wool production has not been maintained and the clip is, in fact, down by some four million pounds.

“Therefore, it is imperative that the. decisions of the conference be brought down with all speed and that they are then considered and implemented by the Government as quickly as possible. “When the reports do come from the working parties and the recommendations are made from the conference to the Government, it is vital that all sections of the farming industry support the recommendations,” said Mr Acland.