THE WOOL CLIP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17328, 17 November 1916, Page 5

THE WOOL CLIP.

, CONCLUDED.

GROWERS' OFFER TO IMPERIAL

GOVERNMENT.

MEAN PRICES OF 1915-16,

[BiU»t\Oua CDMHtSPONMNT.]

WELLINGTON, November 16.

Tbe woolgrowers' conference, contaendd by the Minister of Agriculture to fconsider the' Imperial Government's requisition of the New Zealand clip, comijpleted all its business to-day. { Cables have been sent to London inj;dicating the terms proposed by the I New Zealand growers. They: are fbased on the mean prices of 1915-16, hwhioh in January ranged as follows:

I These are high prices aa a basis of payment for the coming clip cotapared [with those before the war, but- are jiconsidered by the conference not unf reasonable, as owing to the high price ttof wool in 1916-16 the price of sheep Irose correspondingly, sheep worth 14s In 1914 fetching double and up to dUs. Stocking, consequently, has been more Expensive, land has increased in price fond taxation has gone up. Alt these Wtters were taken into considerationH INTERVIEW. WITH MINISTER. Speaking of the conference result to a representative of the ffimes," the Hon W. D. 3. Mao Donald /stated that on the whole, although l there were some differences between the offer of the farmers and the lmiperial Government's proposals for pur- ' chasing the clip, there was not a great in the conference," .'lie continued, "gave the matter. very fteareful consideration and ahowed a de- } sire to meet the Imperial Government. We expect a reply to their Lroposals-on Friday or Saturday. I The freezing compames to-day disVcussed the price of shpe wools and after going into the whole of the detads Seoted a committee to work outJfce proposals o* accepting offer for fleece pieces and hunto Wool on a price based on the fanners proposals. When the Imperial reply 110 the latter has been received fthe committee will submit **%»*<**% ■wool for the season. They are oi Son fthat the final valuation of vLo wool will have to be completed a* insufficient of this "lass S wool is sold in New Zealand to afford a fair basis of adjustment. / I JfO OPPOSITION TO PROPOSALS. P « The farmers," added the Minister. i*« have been hurried over the holding W the conference. Had more time been available they probably would have submitted.'a scheme in a more comprehensive form, but the difficulty is due fco the late decision of the Imperial .government to treajuisition the clip, fthe shearing season being well adVvanced and wool now being dumped, at Ahe ports' where ships are awaiting (cargo. Thus the Minister had no Wtion hut U> hurry the conference, so (bs to take advantage of all shipping space available, though for the next iWo or throe months it apparently will fe* insufficient. This point is being reipresented urgently to Mr Massey by cable. The Government also is"aekine that more refrigerated space [should be granted during the next |i£wo months.' : "The. f armors shewea no opposition Ito*the proposals in the conference and •they hope that after the offer has been Wcepted by the Imperial authorities (any anomalies and discrepancies which (may,arise will be adjusted. ! HANDLING THE WOOL. » "In addition to the wool growers jtfhere was a conference of wool-brok-Wrs, buyers and mercantile firms ihW'ested in wooL They, prepared a Scheme under which the wool will be iSiandled for the Imperial Government r<and all arrangements for delivery, Ifweighing, valuing, bills of lading and Shipment, will be conducted hero fthrough the usual channels. These (■suggestions are very helpful and show kbat the whole business, in the event iof requisition, can be handled without of the present channels of industry." The Ministar'B attention was drawn, p>' the OhristohuTch fellmongere' anxiety regarding .possible loss of employWent. He replied, "In tlio event of fthe offer being accepted we hope td ;see the whole oi the felhnongery and '|wool .scouring industries maintained as V CHARGES ON MEAT.

Tho. meat purchase, scheme also was lithe sobaect of an interesting development, the only remaining point in dispute,, storage charges, being setffcled. The BoaWfof Trade) had requeatled a keduotioxi on tho •oala charged .during itho last eighteen months. The jjfreessuijj companies committee decided jjto agree to tho Imperial Government's for $ twenty-five per cent (redaction on storage charges for the \jwhole frozen caneat output.

V . • d. d. PlJupwAar naeafcoo combfag* . 15 to 17i [Medium fo good «ombiflga .'■ 324 , , 14Jd Unforior merino • . • IX superior fcaif-bred . • Medium'to good ]»If»br«a . • • . 182-S„ai 'Superior croon-brad • • Medium to good crOBfrbwd . inferior « • . 18 ,16 . 124 » 17 I „ l&i iLinoola «ad i Leicester . . 16 » 174