WOOL TRADE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 July 1925, Page 5

WOOL TRADE

GROWERS CONFER. IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED VARYING POINTS OF VIEW. rtST CABLE —PRESS ASSOC! ATION—COPYRIGHT. LONDON, July 15. The first -subject for discussion at the Dominion wool-growers’ conference ait Bradford was jute fibres in. wool, and the new pack. Mr, Aekroyd (chairman) detailed negotiations during the past year. Experiments, had led, to the production of a pack made of wool, which when bleated shrunk, closing the pores of the canvas against dust. Stout yarn had. ialso been -made for sewing, and thus jute had been entirely eliminated from, the pack, while special binding would still enable the use of metal clips if desired. „ The coat would be bprne by the wool users through the payment of Id per pound by the Manufacturers to producers using the new pack under a guarantee for five years. The pack itself would cost- ISs 6d ait the present price of wool, leaving a small profit to the producers. The likelihood was that the price of the pack would soon fall, probably to 15s. Fifty packs had been sent to the Government of Australia and .twentyfive each to the New Zealand Government and the South African Government for experiment -and a report. Mr. Garter Sinclair (New South Wales) supported the adoption of the uew pack, M. Maurice du Rrulle said the French and Belgian wool trade was prepared to join Yorkshire in the extra payment. Mr. Aekroyd said he thought America and Germany would follow Yorklead. The two German delegates said the German attitude would not be known for two or three months.

Mr. Franklin -suggested the price of the pack should be fixed on a -sliding scale according to the price of wool, otherwise Bradford would have a monopoly. Mr. Aekroyd: “We have fixed a price which we believe is in your favour. ’ ’

Mr. Fairbairn (Agent-General for Victoria) deprecated the suggestion that feeling existed against the newpack in the trade. Statements in this regard were greatly exaggerated. Mr. Niebaeilin (South Africa) said the South African famiersi were conservative, and unless the new jiack was produced at the same price as the jute pack it would he difficult to induce farmers to adopt it, but he thought there would he no difficulty in obtaining the adoption of the present scheme.

The conference next discussed the shortage of fine wools. Mr.' Dawson, who led c the debate, said this year’s Australian wool had sadly depreciated. It was difficult to find any of the requisite quality. That was the reason for the strong demand for South African wool by both. Bradford and the Continent. The South African clip

was the best yet exported. It waist of magnificent quality. Australian delegates explained the difficulties in producing fine wools, and directed attention to the decrease in prices. The next subject was grey hairs in wool. It was urged that in changing flocks farmers should make a first consideration that there should be no grey hiaiirs in animals, which gravely damaged the finer products. The conference discussed the Higgins solieme for control, which met with considerable opposition owing to it involving Government interference. Mr. .Sinclair advocated a regulation offering, with Bradford indicating its requirements. He considered that no scheme would he sound which did not give the small growler an immediate cash payment. MM. Rouhaix and Tourcoi ng. opposed the Higgins scheme, insisting upon commercial freedom. The conference concluded after a debate on the use of deleterious sheepmarking substances. The Australians promised to send over some marked fleeces for analysis. Mr. Elmsley, in winding up, asked whether the conferences ought to be continued, and the delegates chorused “Yes,” *