Transformation of the Wool In. dustry.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2337, 27 January 1913, Page 6

Transformation of the Wool In. dustry.

It has boon pointed out that vast as have been the changes of the half contury m the wool industry of Australia, it must bo remembered that the progress of the latter half of the period has been far greater than that of the first half. Twenty-five years ago the trade was still a strugg ling one, and few people could see the enormous development that was corning. The selling brokers have done great work in building up the trade, and in gaining for the Sydney market that premier position which is its right by reason of volume of production and natural facilities, hut which was wrested from it in the early days of the trade. The transformation that has taken place in the -beep (looks during the last twenty years is one of the most striking features of the half-century. In 1891 the Hocks stood at their highest point, and the State could muster 01,831,110 sheep, but there wore only 13.187 (locks, whereas to day, when numbers have corat down to 11,917,"87 sheep, there are no less than 23,727 Hocks. The number of flicks of 3000 sheep and under twenty years ago was 11,236, whereas to day it is 21,800. '• I he number of Hocks of 300 sheep and under have increased from 5338 in 1891 to 13 899 at present. Just as striking is the comparison, if viewed from the standpoint of the big Hocks. Twenty years ago there were 73 Hocks of over 100,000 sheep ; to-day there are only six. Twenty years ago the State could muster 750 Hocks of over 20,000 sheep ; to-day it can only muster 331 such Hock«. The vast change thus shown reflects itself in the consignments of wool marketed, involving more handling, storing, and showing facilities, and it is also shown in the increase of small consignments dealt with at the Homobush yards, As in New Zealand, the day of the large sheepowner is passing in Australia, and there are many who fail to recognise the good work he has done in building up the sheep Hocks and the wool industry to the high standard they have now reached. —“ News,”