Wool sale with sample ‘not new’

Press, 2 August 1979, Page 8

Wool sale with sample ‘not new’

Although the coming season would see the advent of sale of wool by sample in Christchurch, it had been introduced in Christchurch more than 100 years ago, Mr K. M. Collins, a representative of the Christchurch Woolbrokers’ Association, said at a wool production seminar held in Blenheim. The seminar was arranged by the Agricultural Training Council at the request of the meat and wool section of Marlborough Federated Farmers. Mr Collins said wool had always been sold by sample. Buyers had only ever seen a small proportion of wool in the bale, but sale by sample now meant sale of wool by objective measurement and reduced showing. Objective measurement established by scientific means the various characteristics of the wool. Its advent meant that wool could be given an accurate description. The acceptance of such a system was extremely important, because unless a buyer had confidence in the assessment it may as well never have been started. The phasing in of sale by sample depended on accurate measurements. In the first place it would be on one and two-bale showings, and in the second, on a skg sample with a certificate. The sample would be drawn from each bale in the line by a grab sampler. This would reduce the number of times a bale of wool was handled without detracting from the final price realised. “It is absolutely essential that the wool is well classed and well prepared in the first place by someone who knows what he is doing. Sale by sample and on certificate is well accepted by the trade today,” Mr Collins said. He said the country owed a debt of gratitude to the Wool Research Organisation which pioneered the concept ?of objective measurement. It had been used in selling wool since the late 19605. _ “A frightening prospect

has been the cost increases between the shearing handpiece and the consumers’ shopping bag. Our efforts must be directed towards cost saving, and this offers the greatest scope prior to selling for making these cost savings.” Mr Collins said that wool sale under his system could lead to the introduction of two main selling centres in New Zealand. It could eliminate the need for and cost of buyers travelling to sales, and should also give buyers a quicker return through more frequent sales. Mr J. D. Devine, another member of the association, said that sale by sample was a major departure from the conventional selling as it had been known for many years. Cost saving was the main objective. Each clip would be approached on an historical basis. Even if the clip was only half in the store its sale could still be processed.

“I cannot overemphasise, however, the importance of specifications. It is of the utmost importance that there be no over-weight or underweight bales.” After sampling by coring and grabbing, the wool would be stored in a block stack in the store ready for delivery. The grab samples would be documented and stored ready for display and sale, he said.