SURPLUS WOOL

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1945, Page 7

SURPLUS WOOL

DISPOSAL PLAN LONDON, Sept. .1. The wool trade here has received the Empire wool disposal scheme with gratification, and regards it as essentially a practicable method of dealing with this very difficult problem, and a considerable improvement on the scheme adopted after the last war. Full Dominion justification in financing and administering the scheme is welcome, and the whole vast project is regarded as opening new fiftids fox' Anglo-Dominion cooperation on a scale nevei' before known and which has special signilicance in the pi’esent woi'ld conditions. Traders are particularly glad that the auction system for wool disposal is to be restored at. the earliest possible moment, foi’ this is regarded as the only true method of arriving at wool values. It is pointed out that within the general price level to be established, the auctions will play their part in determining the relative values of the various qualities. , x , It is recognised that regulated wool marketing is necessary in view of the size of accumulations and the authors of the disposal scheme are to be congratulated on theii’ statesmanlike effort to produce practical arrangements which nevertheless will give the maximum possible commercial freedom which may well prove a pattern fox’ othei- trades in post-war commodity planning. Its progress will be watched with interest, not only by the wool trade in other parts of the world, but by other commodity interests. fl'he scheme does not end wool, trade, problems, but only points the way to their solution. Trade opinion is that difficult days are ahead foxwool producers and consumers alike, and that even aftei’ increased consumption is achieved severals years will be required to liquidate the diminishing surpluses. There is confidence that the scheme will ensure a reasonable x’eturn foi’ producers, and will safeguard producers and from the dangers which would follow unrestricted marketing of thq surpluses. With these two essentials secured, it is felt that Anglo-Dominion cooperation will ensure the complete success of the scheme.