Govt. ‘Interested’ In Wool Sales

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30882, 15 October 1965, Page 3

Govt. ‘Interested’ In Wool Sales

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 1 1. The Government did not have direct responsibility for wool marketing but took a lively interest in it, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys) told Parliament today.

Mr G. A. Spooner (Opp., Wanganui), on behalf of Mr P. Blanchfield (Opp., Westland), had asked the Minister a question based on statements by wool experts that the auction system of selling wool would disappear within the next decade. He asked if the Government was taking any steps to ensure that should the auction system disappear, New Zealand would not be unprepared for its wool to be sold under a new system. Mr Taiboys said the Government did not have direct responsibility for wool marketing. “Nevertheless, the great importance of wool to the economy necessitates close watch on any developments in the present system of marketing wool.”

Some experts had prophesied a move away from the auction system but others were more doubtful, the Minister said.

The Wool Board and Wool Commission had appointed a study group to investigate the causes of price fluctuations in the present system, and to report generally on methods of wool marketing. Mr Taiboys said the study group had already contacted a large number of organisations concerned with the marI keting and use of wool. He said he had no doubt the group, in addition to obtaining material from local sources, would also study the report of the Royal Commission which considered this question in Australia within recent years. “1 also have no doubt the report of this study group will be available to me and to my Government departments for study and inspection, if we so desire,” the Minister said.