AUSTRALIA'S CLIP

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 24, 29 January 1935, Page 12

AUSTRALIA'S CLIP

REDUCTION PROBABLE Imports of wool into almost all the important European consuming countries were much less during tho last year than in 1933, states the fortnightly report of Winchcombe, Carson, Ltd., the Sydney brokers. The quantity of imported wool retained for use in Great Britain from January to October showed a reduction of 13 per cent, on the previous year's total. Those factors should be borne in mind when considering the large quantities of the staple which are available for sale in Australia during the ensuing sis months. Whilst we do not wish to suggest that wool is in short supply, the smaller holdings of il abroad to an appreciable extent offset the larger stocks on hand in Australia, tho review states. It is unquestionably essential for trade overseas to keep moving to enable mil linen to continue lifting bulky quantities of raw material month by month, but with the cost of the staple on present levels there is a probability that 6alee of goods will be made with freedom. The price of fabrics abroad has fallen considerably in sympathy with the lower wool market. In addition, rates for wool have fallen more since last January than tho prices of competing fibres, cotton, and artificial silk. Cotton values, if anything, have been slightly higher of recent months, and the cost of the artificial fibre has only dropped 17 per cent. The sheep's staple is, therefore, in a better competitive position than a year ago, and that fact should 1 encourage ite use. Supporting that situation is the possibility that next year's Australian clip will be less than this season. Over a great area of Queensland pastoral conditions arc dry to droughty, though storms are about which may give general relief. In New South Wales, in many centres, pasture hns been scanty, owing to the ravages of the grasshopper post. Those two States grow two-thirds of the wool produced in tile Commonwealth. Consequently, whilst the quantities of wool on hand at present look adequate for consumers' requirement!) the more distant outlook for supplied ia not to favourable.