FARM AND COMMERCIAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4965, 4 September 1918, Page 2

FARM AND COMMERCIAL

THE WOOL COMMANDEER

SOUTH AFRICAN GROWERS’ DILEMMA. ■

In order to influence the woolgrowers of this Dominion against the acceptance of the Imperial Government’s proposal to acquire New Ze<o~ land wool for a short defined period after the war closes, the case of South Africa has Imen cited. Ifc has been represented unit, owing to the so-called commandeer not operating in the Union, the sheepowners there have reaped much larger profits than have our own. It lias also been pointed out to New Zealand growers, as an example to be followed, that South African growers- had declined an Imperial offer on much the same lines as that submitted here through the medium of our own Government. It may be as well, however, for New Zealand fiockowners, in th e study of their own interests, not to allow themselves to be guided over-much by this presentation of the South African case, which does not reveal its later developments. _ It is quite true that the South Africans turned down the Imperial offer when first made. But more mature consideration of probable after-war conditions led to a speedy, and apparently alarmed, repentance of their hasty decision, and the Union Government was solicited to approach the Imperial Government with a view to getting the offer revived. The Union Government, however, declined to accede to this request, feeling that it liad been put iu a most invidious position by the unpatriotic and short-sighted greed of the growers. Now, according to an Australian exchange just .received, the South African woolgrowers were to hold a conference at the beginning of this month to try and induce the Imperial Government to again offer to acquire the South African clip on the footing of the proposal made in June last in the following terms-: —“That in view of the serious situation with regard to the 1918-19 wool clip, the Queen’s" Town Farmers’ Association is of the opinion that the interests of South Africa generally can he best served by a conference of all those of the Capo Province who favor a Government scheme being held in the Town Hall, Queen’s Town, on Thursday, August 8, 1918. when’a decision can b e arrived at as to the best method of bringing pressure to hear on the Union Government. Further, all farmers’ asociations, agricultural societies, and chambers of commerce of the Cape Province are invited to be represented at this conference.” No report of the conclusion reached at this conference seems as yet to have been received in Australia, but what has been quoted above is quite sufficient to show that there is- at least a substantial body of South African wool-growers who are something like-panic-stricken at the possible consequences of their ill-advised refusal of a good and sure thing.—Hastings Tribune.

In the course of a chat with a Gisborne Times reporter Mr J. C. Field referred to the mortality among sheep which had been considerable throughout the whole district. This was due to intestinal trouble, lie said, and this would be avoided to a large extent if drenching was done a month before and after weaning. This preventative measure lias in the past been adopted too late. Early shearing has begun on stations -belonging to Messrs Murphy and Field. “ !ie woo! generally is in first-class order. Though the dry weather has creuted a shortage of feeil during the season it ha s been beneficial to tie- production of woo!. The President of the South African Agricultural I nion lias summoned a conference of representatives of, sheep farmers throughout South Africa to meet at Pretoria, on November lb. The hope is expressed that unanimity will be reached, so that the Imperial Government will be induced again to negotiate for the purchase of tins year’s wool clip.

STOCKS AND SHARES

AUCKLAND EXCHANGE

By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. AUCKLAND, Sept, 3.

The following transactions have been received through Mr W. Lissanl Clayton, sharebroker: — Sales: Talisman 9s Bd. Sugar £23 7s 6d, N.Z. Refrigerating 44s 6d. Following aro the closing prices:— Sellers. Buyers Bank of N.Z. ... 205 0 25? >• Do. (fully paid) ... 367 6 360 0 National Bank ... -- 122 N.Z. Insurance ... 203 0 199 0 South British ... National Insurance bl o Standard ... ••• fo ” Huddart-Parker ... Northern Steam (pu) 16 6 lu a Peninsular ‘4OO 2 Auckland Gas ... 27 9 2/ o Auckland Trams (od) 20 0 19 I Wilson Cement (new) 14 6 14 3 Waihi (ex div.) 4.0 0 39 3 Talisman 9 11 J 6 Junction ••• 13 6 i.o o CHRISTCHURCH" STOCK EXCHANGE. Press Association TelegramCHRISTCHURCH, Sept 3. Sha remarket sales reported : Colonial sugar, Fiji and New Zealand preference six per cent, £2O is bcl. DUNEDIN STOCK EXCHANGE. Press Association Telegram DUNEDIN, Sept, 3. Sale reported:—New Zealand Dairy Co., 545. PRICE OF TIN AT HOME. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received Sept. 3, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 2. Tin: £35 10s. Others metals unchanged. ,