BRADFORD WOOL TRADE

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17335, 25 November 1916, Page 13

BRADFORD WOOL TRADE

;, 4. [FjtOM Orn Comjr.sroxDKKT.] BRADFORD, September 20. The sixth series of London salfs ha" closed without showing any weakness in the value of good' combing wools, either merino or cross-bred. In fact, good shafty merinoes and all crossbreds in grease haw maintained throughout the sales a 5 per cent advance" ; ,or the- July rail.)-?. There has, however, boon a r.olnbl? falling off in the value-of short wusi.v sorts of merino wool. Such qualities are no! of much use to the Bradford trad-, and are for the time being a drug on the market. It is combing wool thai counts mostly, and the demand' lor if fully keeps pace with supplies. New business in tops, yarns and fu'-iy manufactured goods is, :vs a matter of fact, very quiet, and there is a notable absence of that spaculativo forward buying which, in peace limes, "s invariably a feature ol" tho.markot at this season of the year. The cause ol this attitude on the part of .iscrs is fairly obvious. The price of fine wn?l is so high that it is difficult to realise corresponding prices for piece goods. Kence, in placing new season's orders, the tendency is to proceed very cautiously. Another factor winch tends to diminish civilian trade is the manner in which the Government is nrnctically commandeering machinery for military orderu, leaving only a s'-all proportion of plant and labour available for civilian trade. A preference is being given to export trade in fully manufactured goods alter military needs have boon provided' for. Tim Government idea, apparently, is that Home needs should conio last, and that makes spinners and top-makers reluctant to promise deliveries on now orders which are intended for home consumption. Notwithstanding the promise of extended' facilities for export trade, licenses arc. however, issua"! very sparingly, especially for tops and yarns, and ihe embarrassing delays. and consequent complications, are causing export houses to refuse substantial orders. In other words, there is a pronounced spirit of cautiousness in all dealings with reference to civilian needs, and a distinct tendency to look carefully. Another point which is exercising the minds of those engaged in tho trade is tho possibility of peace; within a few months. People are wondering what effect peace will have upon wool values. Ooss-breds are, of toil s , in a sounder position from that poiui of view than merinoes, because values are not so inflated, but there is a fixed belief amongst responsible members oi the trade that when the war is. over there will be a tremendous demand' for wool products for a year or two. We know that cue of the grounds upon Which both masters and men have asked the Government to exclude the wool industry from tho temporary application of tho unemployment section of I tho Insurance Act is that there is not likely to he unemployment in the industry after peace is, declared. Tiie millions of men in khaki will have to be re-clothed as they return to civilian life, and as stocks of civilian clothes aro at a very low ebb this factor alono will have an important bearing upon after-war trade conditions in the industry. The chief reasons why values at the moment keep firm jn spite of the quietness referred to are tne slowness with which new wool comes to hand, thedelays in connection with tho Government home wool scheme, the restricted output from tho combs (due to shortago of labour), and the extraordinary demand in connection with Russian Army contracts. The average prices* ruling on the market days named were as follows:

18. Septc 21. mbsr 25. 23. Merinoes— d. d. d. d. 70's . . 55 55 55 55 ISO's super . . 54 5-1 51 51 63's orai::ary . . 53 50 50 50 Cross-breds— 53's . . 4SJ 46 46 46 56'a ... . 30* 33J 33* 391 50's . . 33 33 33 33 4o's . . . . 28 23' 28 28 40's . ' 27} 27J 274 27J 36's . . 2GJ 26J 26?: 26i 32's . •. . . 25J 25 i 25 i 23J Lincoln— Hoggets . . m 19J 191 20 Wothers . . 10g 19| m 20 Kent wethers , . 21j 214 21* 22