“Uncertainty cleared”

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33106, 22 December 1972, Page 2

“Uncertainty cleared”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 21. The chairman of the Stock and Station Agents’ Association (Mr G. N. Francis) said today that the acquisition announcement had cleared up uncertainty about the powers of the Wool Marketing Corporation.

“After nearly a decade of debate all sectors of the industry are firmly convinced that changes are necessary to control handling, presentation and the co-ordination of the flow of wool from farm gate to overseas mill,” he said.

Stock and station agents, in their role as woolbrokers, would continue to have a big part to play, and this has been recognised by the appointment of Mr D. C. MacDougal to the corporation’s board.

The broker’s job was to act as the farmer’s agent and

obtain the best possible net return whatever marketing method was finally adopted by the corporation. “Woolbrokers have long advocated reform, but equally they have maintained that the farmers’ interest, and that of the nation, will best be served by the continuation of auction as the primary method of sale,” said Mr Francis. “This is also the confirmed opinion of the major wool purchasers throughout the world, for it ensures all buyers have equal access to our clip.”