WOOL GROWERS AND SR INKERS CONFER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 July 1925, Page 3

WOOL GROWERS AND SR INKERS CONFER.

— ; —t VALUE .AND COST OF NEW PACKS. (Received Thursday, 7 p„m.) LONDON, July 15. Advantage is being taki*n of the presence of a large number of Dominion wool-growers in England to hold a trade conference at Bradford on similar linos to that of 1024. The Dominions are represented by ov»r 80 delegates, including eight South Africans. Mr. Emsley, president of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, in welcoming the delegates, said that Bradford wanted more and cheaper fleeces. He also urged Bradford and the grower* to get together and avoid violent fluctuations in the supplies. The rise and fall of stocks should not he left to vague calculation. The first subject for discussion was jute fibres in wool and a new puck. The chairman detailed the negotiations during the past year. Experiments had led to the production of a pack made of wool, which, when treated, shrunk, closing the pores ot the canvas against dust. Stout yarn also had been made for sewing and tints jute had been entirely eliminated from the pack, while special binding would still enable the use of metal clips, if desired. The cost would be borne by wool users through the payment of a half-penny a pound by manufacturers to producers using the new pack under a guarantee for five years. The pack itself would cost 222 d At present the price of wool was leaving small profit to producers, but, there was a likelihood that the price of the pack would soon fall, probably to ISOd. Fifty packs had been sent to the Government of Australia and twenty-five each to the New Zealand and South African Governments, for experiment avid report. Mr. Gorier-Sinclair (New South Wales) supported the adoption of the new pack. Mr. Maurice du Bridle said the French and Belgian wool trade Was prepared to join Yorkshire in the extra payment. The chairman said h* thought America and Germany would follow Yorkshire’s lead. Two German delegates said the German attitude would not be known for two or three months. Mr. Franklin suggested that the • (price of packs should be fixed on a sliding scale, according to the top of wool, otherwise Bradford would hare a monopoly. Sir W. H. Aykroyd: “We have fixed the price, which we believe is in your favour.” Mr. Fairburn (Agent-Gcnerrfl for Victoria), deprecated the suggestion that I'eeliiig existed against the new pack in the trade. Statements in this regard had been greatly exaggerated. Mr. Nichaolin (South Africa) said tlie African farmers were conservative Unless the new pack were produced at the same price as the jute pack, it would be difficult to induce farmers to adopt it, but he thought there would be no difficulty in obtaining the adopion of the present scheme. , Tin? conference next discussed the .Giorlugo of fine wools. It was said this year’s Australian wool had sadly depreciated. It was difficult to find nay requisite quality, and that was the reason for the strong demand for South African wool. by both Bradford a id the Continent. The South African clip was the best yet exported and was magnificent quality. Australian delegates explained the difficulties in producing fine wools and directed attention to the decrease iu prices. , ’rhe next subject was grey hairs wool. It was urged that in changing flocks, farmers should make the first consideration that ther e should be no grey hairs in the anitnals, which, gravely damaged the finer products. The conference also discussed Sir John Higgins’s scheme of control, which met with considerable opposition, owing to its involving Government interference. Mr. Sinclair advocated the regulations of offerings with Bradford indicating requirements. He considered no scheme was sound which did not give the small grower .an immediate aask payment. Roubaix and Tourcoing opposed Sir John Higgins’s scheme., insisting on commercial freedom. The conference concluded aftier a debate on the use of deletions sheepmarking substances. The Australians promised to send over mucked fleeces for analysis. 1 Mr. Emsley, in winding up, asked Whether the conference ought to be continued, and the delegates chorused "Yes." y The wool conferees wore later entertained at dinner by the Bradford Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Campbell, a New Zealander, auggested ’ that featend suspicion might .still attach to Bradford and the latter should make a gift of the new wool pack, free from, complicated conditions.