The Wool Industry

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 203, 11 August 1927, Page 4

The Wool Industry

Explanation Predicted A RECORD LAST SEASON. Melbourne, July 26. By means of the conservation of water, the scientilc use of super phosphate on pastures, and continuance of the application of intelligent breeding, Senator J. F. Guthrie considers that a production of 3,000,000 bales of wool a year is in sight in Australia. In an address on the History of the Sheep and Wool Industry in Australia to the Historical Society he said this quantity would not seriously affect the markets of the world, because in the past 15 years there had been a substantial decline in the number of sheep in other countries. He was not impressed with the suggestion of overstocking the country. He was convinced last season's output of 2,500,000 bales (over 800,000,0001bs.) worth £55,000,000, which was a record, would be doubled in years to come. Australia had almost a monopoly of the merino wool production, and the people should insist that Governments did not do anything to prejudice this vital industry by breaking up lands suitable for sheep, and not for intense culture, and by excessive land taxation. South Africa had increased its output of wool from 200,000 ‘ bales to 700,000 bales, largely with the aid of Australian merino stud sheep, for which to date less than £500,000 had been paid. This wool, while not quite as good as Australian merio, was comparable to it in many respects. EVOLUTION OF SHEEP. Senator Guthrie outlined the evolutoin of the present sheep from what he termed a very poor foundation, producing only 4jlb of wool per head, to the present sheep, producing 81b. wool per head, or twice as much wool, and twice the value for wool of sheep in any other country in the world. It also possessed better spinning and manufacturing qualities. The first merino station owner was Captain John McArthur, who imported sheep from England, Germany,and the Cape. It was he who visualised the possibilities of the wool industry, though in the earliest days the wool was burnt or used for bedding for stock. ■ On one occasion later McArthur received 10s 4d per lb. for wool in London, and subsequently 16s 4d per lb., which was still a world's record. In 1 788 there were 29 sheep remaining of the 70 imported, but by September of that year only one remained. Seven years later the Government owned 70 males, and 74 females, and private owners 157 males and 581 females. The value of the sheep was assessed at £7 10s per head. by 1803, the 10,000 mark was reached; by 1820 there were 156,000 sheep in New South Wales, and in 1891, 106,000,000 in Australia. That had been the maximum. There were 103,000,000 sheep last year, but the advancement in the past 20 years had possibly been greater than at any other period. The output had doubled. In 1891 it was 487,000,0001 b.. and in 1926, 800,000,0001 b. That was a wonderful tribute to the skill and enterprise of the Australian breeder. In 35 years, Australia had produced 1,100,000 bales more wool from 3,000.000 fewer sheep. The benefits were widespread, as 95 per cent, of the flocks were of fewer than 5000 sheep, and there were only 3000 out of 80,000 sheep farmers with more than 5000 sheep. The average was 1250 head. In Australia there were 1,000,000 square miles of land with a rainfall of under I Oin., which were beyond closer settlement. There was a similar area with a rainfall of 10 to 20 inches, which was the best land for merino sheep. There was also another similar area with a rainfall of over 20 inches suitable lor intense culture and closer settlement The sheep and wool industry was responsible for 51 per cent, of the total Australian exports, and should be safeguarded. He believed there was room for further expansion in the coastal belt by scientifically improving pastures, while the interior, particularly near Kalgoorlie, was now being developed. At the present time 80 per cent, of Australian wool was merino.