MERINOS DECLINING IN BRADFORD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1027, 17 January 1911, Page 8

MERINOS DECLINING IN BRADFORD.

Turning to consuming centres, I am sorry to record a fall in the price of merino tops, but there is no gainsaying tho fact that values have declined . Jd. since I last wrote. This certainly is not at preseut encouraging, in view of how wool has sold in London, but it is one of those things which may be expected any time, simply because the sales in Coleman Street have had no bracing eiV feet unon cither Bradford, Hudderstield, or Roubaix markets: "Futures" during the past fortnight have slightly given way, and there still obtains strong feelings for cheaper raw material. I have never known a time when the talk has been so persistent for "Gl's tops at 2s. 2d., and although users have very largely covered their requirements for January and February at 2s. 2£d. to 2s: 3d., still they are not satisfied. Importers have bought freely in the colony," and as one large firm said to me this week/ now that they are in a position to sell tops, they are met with the blank refusal of orders-un-less they , will accept id. to Id. less than the wool lias actually cost, I was hoping this "mail to be able to give some reliable information as to how imports were turning out, but so far I hear that some firms out "of Adelaide's first sale are finding that tops are costing them $d." more than their limits, while others are well pleased with their purchases. It is certain that nobody bought tops on a basis of 2s. 21d., yet even the big firm at Laisterdyke are to-day willing sellers at 2s. 2id., and cau do very little business, at that. It is'this fact which is certainly' tantalising not only the firm in question, but many more, who are in. the same boat. As I have already said, London has made' no .perceptible difference. to .users 6f wool in. the West Riding,-and as far as one can seo we .are in for a slack time till ths new year dawns. There seems to be abroad a policy of using up stocks in preference ;to buying afresh, all firms ■alike "hoping that a quiet period-will cause, a; further, ease, in,prices. I certainly cannot seo 64's tops costing out'of- Coleman Street anything., le'ss : than 2s.' 3d., ,but this price even for present delivery cannot be made, and I could-buy easily a good article at a farthing'less. It appears to many in the'trade that buyers trying on a ; game of bluff, and they are abstaining . from operating in the hope of influencing prices in their favour. CROSSBREDS .VERY SLOW- , • Tho position of crossbreds is just about on a level with merinos; and here, too, there is pronounced quietness. 'All that can be said is that consumption is maintained, and so far there isl no-slowing down in tho running of , machinery in either Botanies or crossbreds.-That is the hope of the trade to-day, and so long as the raw material continues to be shifted I cannot see how values - can fall very much. There is-a little-doing .in carded 46's and 44's, but 48\ 50's, 'and 56's are very quiet,-a.nd the same m.ust be said for 40's. Still, spinners. of . both single and two-fold yarns are a 9 busy; as they can be, and tbpy' must be absorbing some big weights of 40's to 46's tops. Prices are no more steady, and I think I could buy to-day-a very good average 40's prepared t6p'-.at\l4]d.; and tho best .at MJd. Commission woolcombers of crossbreds aro anything but busy; in fact,,it.will be the end of- the- year; before, even merino combers arc working what they call full time, that is day and night. Still, as. I havo already indicated, the consumptive end of tho trade leaves nothing to be desired, arid if actual sales of tops aro not taking place, raw. wool is being.shifted in one,-way or another. What the market seems at the.present time to lack'is tho "vim" which is always seen when American' buyers are operating either in Coleman .Street or Bradford, but their purchase's at tho recent series of sales aro only put down at a paltry 200 bales. '

"That is . quite a remarkable Rembrandt," said the ; connoisseur. "Sir!" rejoined Mrs. Cumrox. "Yes,- Rembrandt, yon know,. the' great nainter.'V"Oh, I thought you said 'remnant!'"