WOOL PRICES.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2644, 28 January 1908, Page 5

WOOL PRICES.

WILL THEY RISE OF FALL? Though speculative people can bo found who will playfully hazard an opinion on the question of wool prices at any time, it is generally agreed that at the present moment the wool outlook for the future is decidedly uncertain. Consequently, if one may offer a gentle reminder to men who know their own business, we would quote what may be called a wise farmer's rule: " When in doubt, sell in the nearest market at current values." A sheep farmer depends on the health of his flock, a variable quantity; he hopes for the best, through pestilence and flood, and even fire; he is sometimes in danger—though less so than the Australians—of loss by drought, dry weather spoils his pastures and his rape reserves ; labor troubles may fall heavily or lightly; wet weather at shearingtime may hamper the clip and damage the wool; and at the best he is handling a bulky and perishable article. On the whole, with such a number of risk; surrounding him the wise farmer will, " when in doubt, get out," at the first reasonable opportunity. The trouble is with the man who really doubts whether he is actually in doubt at all It is true that prices have btfen low, largely because of the American money panic, and that the panic itself is over. Yet its effects remain, and the market will doubtless take a considerable time to recover its buoyancy. The advice to withold stocks has been given pretty generally for some time past, and has been largely acted on. There is apparently just as much likelihood of the fall continuing, from other causes, regardless of the recovery of the money crisis, as there is of a rise; and prudence seems to counsel parting with stocks at the first good offer. So long as a farmer does well, it is not necessary that he should at a big hazard do a little better. To have got rid of a big anxiety is worth something. —' The Dominion.'