WOOL POSITION

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 139, 10 December 1919, Page 6

WOOL POSITION

CONDITION OF NEW CLIP

SMALLER RETURNS EXPECTED

Dalgety and Co.'s Dominion statistics, compiled with customary care, show that for the first five months (ended 30th November) of the " wool year" of New Zealand 69,648 bales were valued, as compared with 48,625 for the corresponding period of 1918. During last November 55,015 were so dealt with, so that the business in that one month exceeded that transacted for the whole five months, Ist July to 30th November, 1918. The chief contributors of wool for the month were : Wellington (which includes Wanganui) 15,380 bales, Gisborne 11,968, Napier 11,587. The North Island 1919-20 valuations are now in full progress. From inquiries made by The Post into the condition of the Wellington-Hawkes Bay portion of the new clip it would appear that growers must be prepared to receive reduced returns. It is reported that the wool (speaking generally) lacks body and spinning character and is " wastey." Excepting that of some regularly good station brands, the balance of the clip does not promise to give the same pecuniary results as the wellgrown wools of last year. At the Marlborough valuations held recently at Blenheim well-known halfbreds were shown, and commanded respectful attention. There were but few of tho recognised high-class merinoes brought forward. The half-breeds were almost up to last year's standards, although the clip was a little lighter in condition. . This wool, however, was well grown, and showed no signs of weather stain. Some of the half-breds were well grown, but tick-stained in some instances, and these, if anything, were a trifle heavier than those of last year. A few merinoes were of varied quality, according to districts which they came from. They seemed to be up to those of last year, but others again were much below the 1918-19 standard.

So far as Wellington wools are concerned, up to the present hoggets are on the whole disappointing. . Most of the clips that have come forward for appraisement show unmistakable marks of an unfavourable season, A number of clips in from stations whence hogget wool is generally received in sound condition are this year badly grown, tender, and tick-stained, and short in staple. Not much ewe wool has as yet been handled, but what has been received is in fair order, and certainly light in condition. Here again, the wool is thinner and wastier than that, of last year. The wool generally shows a want of substance, and lacks those valuable properties of light conditioned wool that1 is really well grown. The causes of this unsatisfactory state of affairs are to be found in the exceptional and most unfavourable weather that has been experienced throughout the Dominion, but worse in its effects in some localities than in others. The autumn was bad, the winter severe, and the spring bad, lacking growth. The sheep have been ill-nourished, and this is reflected in the growth of the wool. Growers are expected to be more or less disappointed with their returns, as, although the wool is lighter in grease, yet it is deficient in other valuable qualities. There is lees wool, too, being cut from the sheep. Instances were furnished on the receipt of 120 bales from quarters where 167 bales were received last year; of 49 where there were 60 sent in last year. It has been estimated that there will be a falling-off of production—, that is, comparing the^alue of wool this,year with that of last —of fully 5 per' cent, for tho Wellington district, which includes Wellington', Wanganui, Waitara, Blenheim, and Nelson.' Last year the clip valued in this district amounted to 173,541 bales. At an average value per bale of £24, the total value would be £4,163,984. If the loss for 1919-20 is to be 5 per cent., it will amount to the substantial sum. of over £200,000.