OUTLOOK FOR WOOL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 229, 24 June 1936, Page 12

OUTLOOK FOR WOOL

Competition of Staple Fibre Recent cable news from Great Britain contained extracts from an address given by Dr. Speakman, of Leeds University, Yorkshire, in which he stated that “when perfect elasticity is obtained with artificial fibres, scientists will produce fibres simulating wool very closely. Crimp had already been imparted to fibres, and he saw no reason why ease of extension and recovery should not be added.” The latter means elasticity, the presence of which in wool has been one of its important attractions. No mention is made of the warmthproducing feature which gives wool its chief advantage. The efforts of inventive genius to produce an effective substitute for wool are a contradiction at this juncture, says the “Sydney Morning Herald.” Australia has been called upon to jeopardise the goodwill of Japan, one of her best wool customers, in order to provide a regain of United Kingdom trade in rayon piece goods among other items which are the product of artificial fibres. Simultaneously, an English scientist expresses the expectation of producing a fibre which can successfully compete with wool. If ■ his anticipations materialise, the demand for wool would be reduced, prices would recede, and the purchasing power of the Australian and other primary producing people consequently decrease. By that cause, England and other countries would find a smaller outlet for their exports in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, South America and all other large wool-producing countries, and thus suffer as a result of the efforts of inventors within their own borders. Staple fibre at present appears to be the textile makers’ “trpmp card” as a weapon of propaganda, and otherwise against the sheep’s staple. Staple fibre is artificial silk cut into short lengths, mainly for the purpose of spinning into yarn, either by itself or with wool or cotton. Production of staple fibre in 1935 was estimated to be ns follows: —ltaly, 64,000,0001 b.; Germany, 30,000,0001 b.; Great Britain, 7,500.0001 b.; Japan, 6,500,0001 b.; France. 4,400.0001 b.; United States, 4.000,0001 b. The world production of it was 117,200,0001 b., an increase of 140 per cent, on the 1934 total, but despite that quantity, wool in 1935 was in generally keen demand. Mr. M. 11. Pickles, at the annual dinner of the British Wool Federation, said that “no notice should be taken of stories about the wool trade falling off. The statistical position of wool was never stronger than it is to-day. If only a little common sense could be shown, they could look forward with the greatest confidence to the future.” x

Howard Smith, Limited

Howard Smith, Limited, announce that the quarterly dividend on the 6 per cent, cumulative preference capital will be paid on and after July 7. '

Queensland Insurance Co., Ltd.

The Queensland In uranee Co., Ltd., will pay an interim dividend of 4 per cent, on July 1.

AUCTION DIARY

TO-DAY. .'»! isterton Sales. 10.30 ii.m. -7.50 Sheep. Ridgway St., Wanganui, 11 a.m.—Properly at Katana (Farmers’ Co-op. Distrib. Co.). Liggins Rd.. Tokomaru, 11.30 am.-Un-reserved Clearing Sale, a/e Messrs. Schaw Bros. (Abraham and Williams). At Maiiguhc.a. I’ahiatua, 12 noon—Unreserved Clearing Sale, Dairy Stock, etc., a/c Mi. H. .1 Gregory (.Loan and Merc, and Abraham and Williams). At tile Farm, Lindsay Rd., Levin, 12 noon—(Unreserved Clearing Sale, a/e Mr. W. A. Kennett (Loan and Mercantile). < Mount St.. 12.30 p.in.—Contents of Apart inent House (E. Johnston nnd Co.). iidiiisonvllle Fat Stock Sale, 1 p.m.—Mix ed Stock (Wright. Stephenson). 71 Tauhinu Rond Miramar, 1.30 p.m. Furniture and Furnishings (Silverstone nnd Co.). Town Hall, Featherston, 2 p.m.—Auction of Opossum Blocks (Conservator of Forests). Bank of N.Z. Buildings. Lambton Quay, 2.30 p.m. -Freehold Property (G. G. Tolhurst). 155 Lnmbton Quay. 2.30 p.m.—ls Modern Bungalows (Dunbnr Sloane). TO-MORROW, 8 Willeston St., 10.30 a.m.—Corrugated Iron (E. Johnston and Co.). Stortford Lodge Saleyards, Hastings, 10.30 a.m.—lmportant Dispersal Sale “Ben Lomond” Aberdeen Angus Pedigree Cattle (241 head) (Lotto and Mercantile and II B. Farmers). 8 Willeston St., 12.30 , p.m.— Old HandPainted China (E. Johnston and Co.). No, 4 Line, Fltzherbert, 12.30 p.m.—Unreserved Clearing Sale, a/c Mrs. T. Young (Dalgety and Co.). 11-43 Panama St., 2.30 p.nt. -8-roomed Residence (313 Wellington Terrace) (Harcourt and Co ). FRIDAY. A‘ the Farm, Beach Rond, Te Horo, 1 p.m —Unreserved Clearing Sale, a/c Mr. Allan Aldworth (Abraham and Williams). Al Stortford Lodge Saleynrds, Hastings. Immediately following "Ben Lomond” Sale—Stud Stock, a’ c Mr. J. A. Macfarlane (ILB. Farmers and Loan and Mercantile),