WOOLLEN TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1924, Page 11

WOOLLEN TRADE

DISTRIBUTION OF PIECE GOODS.

Mr. Elmalie, British Trade Commissioner, in Xe-w Zealand,. is advised by the Overseas Trade Department that. Yorkshire- spinners are now .more determined to make remunerative prices than they were a few months ago. Then the -dominating consideration was to get to work to keep" their.'1 machinery running, but now the station has. completely changel; not only actual costs, but also replacement costs,-are the governing factors in. fixing prices.

Canada is taking serges in all weights and qualities, and more inquiries are being received from Australia, but the worsted trade with this Dominion leaves much to be desired. Orders from South Africa for costume cloths and men's.-wear cloths .are expanding very satisfactorily. The Far East is taking wool imperials, Venetians) and fancy tweeds, and India, is ordering lightweight coverts and crossbreds. The Near East is taking the cheapest crossbreds in fancy designs, and cheap union gabardines are selling well. The Hnddersfield woollen branch of the trade and the Scottish border districts are experiencing some- improvement in orders'. Dewsbury is doing a good business with Canada and' the rfear East in heavy .woollens.

As in the case of semi-manufacturers there is .less inclination to offer goods at under cost of replacement, and when buyers realise that prices will continue, to so against them, there should be a tendency to order now.' The rug ana blanket industries remain the mosWctive and large quantities are going to South* Africa and the ITar.East. Carpet manufacturers have plenty of orders in hand. The French competition in dress goods of which so much was heard some months ago, appears to have dwindled with high cost of replacement.