MORE WOOL WANTED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 148, 19 March 1937, Page 12

MORE WOOL WANTED

Problem of Supplies

Post-war years have seen the greatest development'in the production of artificial textile fibres that the world has ever seen despite that fact every pound of wool produced has found use. Increasing numbers of people are wearing woollen clothing, chiefly owing to expansion in that regard in the East. The "Textile Mercury and Argus,’ of Bradford, recently made some interesting remarks in respect to the position of wool supplies: “Up to quite recent times there has been a reservoir of unsold wool of one sort or another on which the trade has been able to draw when consumption has exceeded current production. During the past two years, however, a position has arisen which has caused these accumulated stocks to dwindle rapidly, until to-day it can be said that they 'have virtually been exhausted. The wool trade is now working ‘nearer to the sheep’s back’ than at any time iu its history. .It is no secret in Bradford that unanimity in the Bradford trade cannot be obtained in regard to a publicity campaign to encourage the use of wool. It has been argued that it is no use organising a campaign to increase the use of wool unless there is a prospect of more wool being produced. If the demand for wool is to be intensified without a corresponding increase in its production, then there will be an obvious danger of forcing prices up to a level which would be harmful to the trade, and would inevitably encourage the use of substitutes.” What prospects exist ■ for larger supplies of wool? In Australia and elsewhere an increase largely depends upon seasonal conditions, but, provided they are reasonably favourable, it is probable that the clip of the Commonwealth will increase considerably iu the years ahead. Pasture improvement in the good rainfall areas of New South Wales is gradually expanding production, doubling and trebling the carrying capacity of some properties, and enabling the sheep to cut more wool per head. Dominion Wool Trade Offerings of wool at auction in New Zealand last mouth totalled 151,187 bales, of which 149,208 bales; were sold. For the eight months ended February 28, the offerings were 454,751 bales, of which 450,430 bales were sold, compared with 500,718 bales offered and 478,657 bales sold during the corresponding period of last season. Shipments of wool during February included 149,246 bales of greasy and 14,020 bales of scoured and slipe, a total of 163,266 bales. For the eight months according to returns compiled- by Dalgety and Co. Ltd., exports of wool totalled 451,643 bales, compared with 491,855 bales last year. London Tallow Market Dull The Bank of New Zealand, produce department, has received the following advice from its London office, under date March 17: No sales of tallow held this week. There is practically no demand for tallow on the spot. Prices are unchanged.