THE PRICE OF WOOL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 23 May 1908, Page 5

THE PRICE OF WOOL.

THE QUALITY Of CROSSHREDg. "IS, THERE DETERIORATIONS" The total loss to New Zealand, as a result of the drop in the price of wool, has been computed at sums varying from two to two and a half millions of money. Several reasons have been advanced as to the actual cause of the decline. A suggestion . to which some prominence has been given is the contention that New Zealand wool, and more particularly crossbreds, has deteriorated) and that a solution is forthcoming in this fact of the fall in values. Mr F. Bodle, manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, was internewed. by an Auckland Star representative on the subject. Asked tO give an expression of opinion on the question, Mr Bodle replied that it was patent to all interested in the wool trade that the fall in values was traceable to the financial stringency in America, and that wool had suffered in exactly the same manner as most other 'trades. As an instance, Mr Bodle pointed to the fact that though the raw material in- iron was so very scarce, there had been a considerable falling off in the price of manufactured articles. The all-round depression in trade circles at Home, Mr Bodle added, was unquestionably making itself felt in the price of wool, but that there has been any depreciation in the quality of New Zealand crossbreds, or that this had in any way been a factor towards bringing about the decrease in values, is regarded by him as ridiculous. "New Zealand is eminently adapted for the production of crossbred wool," said Mr Bodle, "and there is not the slightest doubt in the world that the quality is not only holding its own, but is steadily improving. In the Auckland province the; quality has been improving, year after year; ancf there is no doubt that the Romney Marsh is thriving in this district. The Lincoln sheep require the best of food', such as is to be found on the Lincoln fens at Home, but the Romney Marsh 1 is hardier, and is unquestionably the* best breed for our climate and rough conditions. Therefore, to say that there has been any depreciation in our crossbred wool" because of the introduction of the Romney Marsh is a statement utterly" without foundation. The price realised for 'finer top from Romney Marsh sheep is infinitely better than that to be secured* for the coarser product of Lincoln!? or Leicester s. - "It is not a fact that our wools' are deteriorating," Mr Bodle added. "In, fact, it is very much to the contrary. If we can grow 40's to 45's by the use of Romney rams and can get better prices thereby, is that , not in itself absolute evidence that thefe is no deterioration ? The heavier the clip in the main, the coarser the quality. The Lincoln is probably the heaviest clipping sheep known, on the average, ancT the quality is therefore low: " The Romney clip is less in quantity, but, per contra, gives a better and more medium duality, with the result that it is less liable s to fluctuation. But to say that there has been a deterioration in the quality of our wool, or that it has been in any way instrumental in bringing about a decrease in values, is absolutely wrong."