WOOL CLASSING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 9, 11 July 1934, Page 14

WOOL CLASSING

JAPANESE COMPLAINTS

The leader of the Australian Eastern Mission (Mr. J. G. Latham) recently informed the Australian Woolgrowers' Council that while at Tokio, Japan, complaints were made to him that the clashing of- Australian wool was deteriorating. As a result, Sir Graham Waddell, chairman of the Australian Woolgrowers' Council, interviewed the Consul for Japan, and later Mr. J. W. Allen, secretary of the council forwarded to the Consul a letter outlining the views expressed at the interview. | The letter stated that in the view of the council there was no reason to believe that the classing of the larger clips had in any way deteriorated, as the owners undoubtedly realised the importance of properly preparing their clips for sale and of maintaining their good name in the world's markets. For these reasons competent wool classers were employed. In the medium-sized and smaller Clips, however, there had in some cases probably been a tendency during the prevalence of low wool values to economise by owners doing the classing themselves or with the aid of members of their families, thus avoiding the expense of employing wool dassers. During the past few years the coat o£ employing classers for the smaller clips had practically been prohibitive. As an offset to this arrangements had been made by which small clips aud oddments could be efficiently classed in the capital cities under bulk-classing conditions. This practice was receiving increased support, and should materially assist in the proper marketing of the clip. Instruction in wool classing at the Technical College and through the courses provided in country districts was increasingly sought by sons of graziers and farmers. This fact should also aid in the preparation of the smaller clips. During the past season there had been a considerable increase in the practice of selling wool in the country instead of through the auction room. In such cases the wool, was frequently purchased on the sheep's back, and probably insufficient care had in some such cases been taken in the subsequent classing.