"ABOMINABLE PACKING"

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 63, 11 September 1924, Page 5

"ABOMINABLE PACKING"

THE EXCHANGE DIFFICULTY

WORLD SHORTAGE OF SUPPLY,

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COMIUGHTO (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 9th September. At the Bradford Conference of Woolgrowers and Spinners, Mr. Harry Dawson claimed that a thirty-two days' sight draft was virtually equivalent to 30 per cent, per annum, while ninety-day drafts were equivalent to an export tax of 3| per cent, to 4-g per cent, in the case of Australia, and 2J per - cent, to 3£ per cent, in the case of New Zealand. Alluding to the anxiety regarding Mr. Bruce's proposed action, Mr. Dawson said a serious aspect was the banks intimating, in connection with the it-sue o£ credits, that it was optional for the banks to negotiate bills thereunder. Mr. Fail-bairn said the exchange Was due to shortage of banking facilities. Mr. Walter Andrews urged that Australia- and New Zealand should adopt packs made of wool instead oJ fibre. The tatter caused half a million sterling damage annually. A woollou pack would cost less, and the buyers would be prepared to pay half tho cost of wool for packs. Referring to merinos, he said tho Dominions produced wool of which they ought to be proud, but which was packed p.bominably.' He suggested that the trado might help growers by returning them the bags, which should be systematised. Sir William Priestley complained that the wages of menders and burlers amounted to 31 per cent, of the wages, whereas thirty years ago burling was not needed. He appealed to producers to see' that the wool'was free from blemish. No man had any right to send wool to England unless he had every confidence in it. Sir William explained that the piresent packing produced jute faults as well as burls in the wool, causing considerable loss.

Mr. Andrews said he believed a business arrangement could be reached by which specially' prepared bags could be returned1 to the producer and used severaL times, and would result in the saving of hundreds of thousands of pounds. The debate was adjourned. A note of alarm was sounded regarding the world shortage of wool. Mr. Dawsoa urged an increase in stock within the Empire, which' presented great possibilties,notably in South Africa and West Australia. The present production was a million bales a year below what Svns needed. Other speakers emphasised the tragedy of the Argentine supplanting Australia, Now Zealand, and Africa. ' ; Sir Thomas Mackenzie (New Zealand) urged the conservation of trade among our own people. He said that Britain was again talcing the .bulk of Denmark's butter,.' a-lthough Denmark in war' time diverted her butter to the enemy country. He emphasised, amid cheers, that 'New Zealand neyer gave Britain preference under duress, but always voluntarily. ■.';■ ,