WOOL MARKETING

Evening Star, Issue 21518, 16 September 1933, Page 11

WOOL MARKETING

OPPOSITION TO CONTROL BOARD AH OFFICIAL STATEMENT The following official statement has been issued by the Now Zealand Sheep Owners’ Federation Executive and the New Zealand Woolbrokers’ Association regarding wool marketing; — As during recent months there have been some discussions through the Press and at farmers’ conferences regarding wool marketing, and as there appears to be considerable confusion of ideas it is considered desirable to draw attention to a few points, A most important Empire wool conference was held in Melbourne in 1931. It was the most representative conference hitherto held south of the line. Wool growers were present from all over Australia, and also from South Africa and New Zealand. 800 l brokers’ representatives were present from South Africa, New Zealand, and all Australian States. England was also represented. The Chairman, Sir Graham Waddell, in his opening address, said that tho conference had been entirely arranged by the Australian Wool Growers’ Council. Australian wool growers had no faith in Government interference; the less Government interference they had the better. They believed in working out their own salvation. They always practised self-help, and refused to lean on Governments, although Governments have leaned heavily on them. This spirit of independence is characteristic, not only of the wool industry of Australia, but of the Empire. Governments can best help by leaving wool growers free to help themselves. They believe in continuing to place their faith in the law of supply and demand, coupled with orderly marketing, embracing co-ordinate offerings, and linking up of scientific research and publicity. They recognise the great importance of careful classing. The following resolutions (inter alia) were carried unanimously, the only two dissentient votes < being to resolution 1 by two South African brokers, the South African wool growers supporting tho resolution.

1. That in the opinion of this conference tlio best method of selling wool is by means of public auction. 2. With a view of stabilising the wool market, regulation of the wool selling season was necessary in order to permit of suitable offerings without creating a carry over into the next selling season. 3. That this conference is opposed to any scheme for the marketing of wool, which ignores, the law of supply and demand. 4. That this conference strongly urges on all concerned the necessity of the greatest care being taken in the classing and preparation of wool for sale. It was pointed out with reference to South Africa that the levy of one shilling per bale was struck by the South African Government, especially for the purpose of establishing the woolgrowing industry, which was on a very different footing from that in Australia and New Zealand. Sir John Higgins, in his remarks, agreed that sale by auction was the best method for the final disposal of wool. Mr W. D. Stewart, who represented New Zealand wool brokers at the conference. in his report stated that, tho outstanding feature of the conference was the unanimous decision against arbitrary fixation of prices or Government interference in the wool industry. Several individual stabilisation schemes were submitted to the conference, but they were turned down, as they were based upon the fixation of minimum prices, to which the conference was unanimously opposed. These considered opinions we strongly endorse. In New Zealand various suggestions have recently been put forward: — (a) That grades should be standardised throughout the dominion. This, wo consider, is _ impracticable. Wool differs iri every district. 46-48’s of one district will vary in growth, character, style, and yield, though the actual count may be the same, and the same applies to other grades. The suggestion that buyers could buy on a national standard and without inspection of the bulk, or even without inspection at all, is quite impossible. (b) The suggestion that Argentine methods are better than those obtaining in Australia or the dominion is not borne out by those who have had experience of tho two systems. The idea of selling hero on a guaranteed yield basis would never bo agreed to. It would lead to endless claims against growers and brokers from all parts of the world. The buyer now has the opportunity of inspecting any wool and deciding for himself as to yield, and the particular suitability of any lot, and the growers’ risk terminates, as it should, at the fall of the hammer. (c) Binning of wools by brokers is an established practice in the dominion, and does not require the assistance of certified classers in any form of compulsion on the grower, whether ho be a large or small owner. (d) No machine for classing or binning has been evolved which will reduce the cost, and the one which is being advocated by interested patentees docs not appeal to brokers. It is doubtful if it would be even practicable, and would certainly add to the cost of handling wool. (o) New methods of baling and dumping have been put forward which are also impracticable when examined by those who have knowledge of the handling of wool. (f) The suggestion of any board fostering or developing markets overseas is a visionary and unnecessary one. Wool is now sought for in tho producing markets by representatives of all consuming centres in the world.

To sura up, wo are of opinion that there is no need for Government interference in the wool trade, or the establishment of any control board handling the marketing side. The law of supply and demand, and the worldwide competition which is obtainable through the means of the wool sales, here and in Australia, determine in the only practical way the price a buyer can give and which the grower gets. Tho business of wool selling, as the Empire Conference indicated, is already well conducted and systematised. PRICE OF FINE GOLD Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 15. (Received September 16, at 11 a.m.) The latest quotation for gold is £6 10s 5d per oz.

FRUIT AND PRODUCE Bray Bros. Ltd. report as follows for the week . ended yesterday : Only an odd lot of milling wheat is now coming on the market and little interest will be displayed by millers until the next season’s wheat commences to make an appearance. The fowl wheat market is quiet. Sales for shipment to North Island ports are on the low side. Hound about 3s 3d per bushel, sacks extra, ex truck, is the current quotation for good whole fowl wheat. Small lots are worth from 3s (id to 3s 9d per bushel i ex store. The oat market continues quiet with little business passing. A Gartons are still quoted on a basis of 2s to 2s Id, f.0.b.5.i., with B’s at Is 9d. . Values in the country equivalent to the foregoing prices are Is 6d, sacks extra, on trucks, for A’s and Is for B’s. A fair demand exists for chaff, but most of the sales arc confined to small lots, ex store. An odd truck load is being placed at £3 10s per ton, sacks extra, and for deliveries, ex store, £3 15s to £4 os is being obtained. Millers’ prices are as follows : Flour.—2oo’s, £l4 2s ; 100’s, £l4 17s; 50’s £ls 2s; 25’s, £ls 7s. Bran, £4 10s per ton. Pollard, £6 per ton. Oatmeal.—2oo’s, £l6; 25’s, £lB.

The potato market has been very quiet during the past week. A few are still held in stores on account of North Island merchants and it is anticipated that these will be shipped to northern merenunts shortly. Sales range round about 10s per ton, sacks in, ex store. King Edward’s are bringing a little more than the above-men-tioned figure. Reports have come to hand to-day stating that two exceptionally severe frosts have been experienced in the Pukekohe district which will have a detrimental effect upon the crops. There was a heavy frost on the Taieri last night, and growers advise ns that a lot of the early potatoes have received a very serious setback. Farmers are busy at the present time sowing dowp seeds. Deliveries to the country are increasing and indications point to heavier sowings than in previous years. The market remains firm, but there is not a great deal of wholesale business going through. Distributors prefer to work on their stocks before buying further from the wholesale firms. Choice dessert apples are in short suply, but inferior grade are fairly plentiful. Prices of dessert remain practically unchanged; Cooking sorts have a little better inquiry. , The last shipment of South Australian navel oranges, ex the Wainui, has been cleared out of wholesale hands. The fruit arrived in excellent condition, and there will be no more oranges on the market until the arrival of the Wainui (due approximately on October There is no further word of when the embargo on the importation of oranges from the other States is to be lifted, that is, of course, if it is to be lifted at all. There will be no further supplies of Californian Valencia oranges in the meantime. Fair stocks are, however, still being held by wholesale merchants. The lemon market is exceptionally weak. New Zealand grown have been offering at very low prices. The last shipment of Samoan bananas which arrived by the Maui Pomare were in perfect condition and they are ripening very nicely, and are eagerly sort after by retailers. "We received a very nice sample of asparagus during the week. Its arrival on the market this year is some three weeks earlier than last season. Cauliflowers arc in full supply. Prices have also dropped in the northern markets. Poor grade are practically unsaleable. Smalj lots of spring cabbages are now reaching the market. Lettuce are increasing in supply, but the demand continues keen. Rhubarb is bringing good prices. Parsnips are slow of sale. Supplies arc plentiful. Carrots are not so plentiful, and better prices are being obtained. Large quantities of violets have been arriving from Canterbury, and these are offering at low prices. Boronia has been arriving from the North Island and bringing fair prices, but the demand is now not so keen. The egg market advanced during the week. Dairy butter is inquired for. Honey and choose arc meeting with a medium sale. The following prices were realised during the week: — Apples.—Stunners, '6s to Ss case; Delicious, 6s 6d to Ss 6d; Democrats,

6s 6d to 8s 6d; Cleopatras, 8s 6d to 10s; Borne Beauty, os to 6s 6d; Ballarats, 6s to 6s 6d. Pears.—Half-cases (wanted), 5s to Cs case; dump cases, 10s to 12s 6d. Californian ralencias, 30s case. • Californian grapefruit, 40s case, Californian lemons, 55s ease. New Zealand lemons, 9s 6d to 10s case. ‘ Island oranges, 18s to 20s case. Poorman oranges, 4s to 6s case. Bananas. —Ripe, 20s to 22s 6d case; green, 20s case. Australian oranges, 12s to 17s case. Mandarines, 14s to 25s case. Potatoes, £4 to £4 10s ton. .. Rhubarb, 2s to 3s 6d dozen. Lettuce, 3s to 4s 6d dozen. Asparagus, 14s to 16s dozen. Carrots, 4s to 5s cwt. Swedes, to Is 3d sugar bag. Marrows (wanted), 10s cwt. Parsnips, 5s to 6s cwt. Pumpkins, 7s 6d to 10s cwt. Cauliflowers, 2s 6d to 3s 6d sack. Cabbages, 3s to 5s 6d sack. Celery, 4d to 6d bundle. Leeks, Is 6d dozen. ■Onions.—Canterbury, £5 to £5 5s pec ton. Garlic (sales slow), 2d per lb. Honey.—Bulk, to 4d lb. Eggs, market rates. Peanuts, to 4d lb. Walnuts, 3d to 5d Jb. M'Donald and Miller’s Gold Medal Bacon.—Shoulders, 9Jd; ham ends, 10Jd; equals, lOd; boneless hams, Is; lard, 6id lb. Tallow, 6s 6d to 8s 6d cwt. Woodwool, 32s bale. Violets, Is dozen. Paper whites, Is 6d to 2s dozen. Sol D’Or, 3s 6d to 5s dozen. Freezias, to 2s dozen. LONDON MEAT MARKET The Bank of New Zealand has received the following advice from its London office, dated September 15:— Frozen meat: For wethers the market is quiet but firm. There is only a poor demand for ewes. The lamb market is steady and no material change is , expected yet. Wethers, light, 4)d to sgd per lb; heavy, 3|d to 3|d per, lb. Ewes, 2|d to 3fd per lb. Lambs—twos, 7d to 71d per lb; eights, 6£d to 7-Jd per lb; fours, 6d to. 6Jd per, lb; seconds, 6Jd to 7d per lb.