WOOL MARKET ON CONTINENT

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 27, 26 October 1945, Page 7

WOOL MARKET ON CONTINENT

Now Reaching Most Countries PLANNED ASSISTANCE AT WORK (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) LONDON, October 24. The majority of the Continental European countries are now receiving as much Dominion wool as they can handle. The French Government lias established a special wool-buying organization in Bradford which negotiates wool imports under a control. With the exception of ex-enemy countries, wool is believed to be reaching most nations in Europe, either through UNRRA or under schemes of planned commercial importation. As Britain’s on-the-spot stocks are almost certainly inadequate to satisfy the demand now coming forward, it. is believed that British-owned stockpile wools lying in the United States are being called on. Though statistical information is not available, the Dominion wool producers must not yet envisage the Continental European demand as reaching pre-war dimensions. The need for wool exists on a great scale, but in several instances the wool cannot immediately be handled on a large scale. The factories of the Continental Allies generally hare escaped serious war damage, but other obstacles arc revealing themselves. There has been a vast displacement of labour and disorganization of transport during enemy occupation, and there is a coni shortage iu many countries. 'These problems are being tackled with all possible skill and outside aid, but it would seem in many instances that Continental industrial recovery can only be reached gradually. Semi-manufactured Goods. Meanwhile the United Kingdom is doing everything to aid the Continental countries to use more wool and provide for their owu requirements. The most recent effort is the provision of additional quantities of wool yarn to all countries with which the United Kingdom has payment arrangements. The provision of such semi-manufactured material is calculated to stimulate Continental wool consumption by supplying wool after it has passed through some of the most delicate . processes. The unprecedented pressure on Britain's own wool textile capacity continues. Accelerated demobilization has doubled the demand for civilian clothing, and an official warning litis been given that supplies of men’s clothing available for the ordinary civilian home trade is likely to be reduced in 1946. This demobilization provision could not have been made during the war, as it would have impeded I lie war effort. It is characteristic of the national need that the home market will he affected, but not the export market.