LONDON WOOL SALES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 95, 28 April 1910, Page 2

LONDON WOOL SALES.

MERINOS STILL LEADING IN

PRICE

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, March 18. This is the second week of the series, and although stopped by one day of j|pg, still the same keen inquiry for the raw material has been witnessed. The selection has continued to be very good botli in merinos and crossbreds, and the former undoubtedly still occupy premier position. Up to l7£d was paid on Wednesday night for New England (N.S.J.) grease, and anything fine in quality and good length is selling uncommonly weH. There is a particularly strong demand on Bradford account for "West Australian wools, these doing splendidly, and making up to a shilling for very average grease. What still sells the worst are the very shafty South Australian wools that are rather low in quality, these feeling the want of American competition. There is no doubt that the absence of this feature is responsible for some parcels coming Id per lb less, and many speculators' lots have had to be withdrawn entirely on account of this. Wools of quality are selling the best, the Continent giving excellent support. Prices can now be called dearer by £d per lb for good grease, and scoureds are better by fd to Id. The . demand for scoured seedy, burry, carbonising parcels is particularly keen, and these are up Id. All classes of merinos are- selling as well as ever, both the Home and Continental trades buying largely. Crossbreds are the disappointing quantity, especially American sorts. It will be remembered that in January prices were sent up a penny for bright, showy, medium and coarse wools solely by United States buyers, and with quieter conditions across the Atlantic, there is now lower limits in operation, and considerably less buying being done. This has meant a Id to l£d drop in essentially American medium and coarse crossbreds, and sellers are consequently very disappointed. For halfbreds the reverse is the case. In January they made no headway, but this series they have again become dearer, and ?d more is the order of the day. Both Bradford, Scotch, and American buyers are competing keenly for 50's and 56's, and some splendid prices are being paid. Good average topmaking wools are $d down, biit for every quality the demand is good and keen up to a price. Slipes are selling splendidly, and easily making last sales' prices, and for short clothing sorts Jd more is being paid. They are somewhat scarce, hence their firmness. Taking the series as a whole there is nothing whatever is find fault over, America being the missing link in medium and coarse light-conditioned parcels. The

Home trade is a very big buyer, and everything is going off creditably. WOOLCOMBERS' STRIKE SETTLED. Since writing last the woolcombers strike in Bradford, which affected about 9000 operatives, has come to a finish, all mills re-starting last Monday morning. lam certain that if it had continued another fortnight it would have brought down wool prices, at the sams time putting up the value of tops that were in stock. However, all alike rejoice that common sense has been fi 'lowed full sway, and at an important conference between masters and Mien, the following terms were agrc yd upon : — 1. That a federation of employers be formed. That a joint board of employers and employees be formed for dealing with wages, conditions of labour, and the settlement of disputes., provided that the parties concerned cannot come to a mutual understanding, and that a conference for this purpose be convened by the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of Bradford not later than April 11th, 1910.

2. That an advance of sixpence per week be given to all employees receiving less than 15s per week, and an advance of Is to those receiving 15s per week and over, the advance to commence from March 11th, and that a further advance of 6d and Is respectively be given commencing August 5, 1910.

3. That two stops of half an hour each, or their equivalent, be allowed all night workers for meals, for which there shall be no deduction on the present rate of wages, with the condition that meals must be taken only during such stoppages. ■ 4. That it is now definitely understood, as per Alderman Hayhurst's declaration at a conference on the 9th inst., that in case of complaints or disputes occurring in any establishment efforts shall first be made to settle directly by employer and employed, and only failing agreement shall union officials intervene.

5. Should these terms be agreed to between the employers and workmen it is understood that all employees employed at the commencement of the dispute vshall commence work without prejudice at a date to be fixed by the employers. Sold by Messrs Charles Balme and Co., March 14.—Marchburn : Grse. 18 HA com 13H; 27 HB do 13; 4 EH do 12£ d; 5 AA do 13§; 5 do, do 13: 24 A do 13Jd; 9 do, do 13; 6 do, do 12J: 9 do, do 13; 6 do, do 12.1 d; 26 do, do 13; 92 B do 13; 3 R do, do 12; 8 E do 12£ d; 9 do, do 12; 12 Ist pst pcs 111; 5 2nd &b 11; 16 do, do 10J; 5 bellies lOfd; 13 do 10; sdo 9£; 4 locks 6; 8 do 6|; 5 do s£. Leefield: Grse. 14 A com 13£; 7 BB do 12|; 18 A A do withdrawn; 55 A do 13J; 10 do, do 12*; 28 BB do 125; 6 Bdo withdrawn; 4 Ist pcs 104; "18 do, do 10; 4 do, do 91; 12 bellies 10; 7 locks 6J: Ugbrooke: Grse. 10 H sup 1-bd com 14; 44 do Ist do, do 14; 4 do 2nd do, do 13; 8 do A do, do 12£; iO do B do, do 121; 18 sup do, do 14; 103 Ist £-bd do 131; 5 do, do 12; 4 2nd do, do 121; 27 A do, do 12; 7 B do, do 12J; 6 R do, do 12; 5 crsbd do 12; .62-i-bd pcs 9; 5 i-bd locks 6£; 10 do crutchings 71; 5 lambs do 6f. CONDITIONS IN BRADFORD.

The event of the past week has been the settlement of the woolcombers' strike, and once more the trade breathes freely. We are glad the men have taken a sensible view of the situation, and that a better understanding now obtains between masters and operatives than has hitherto existed. The resumption of work has been the signal for renewed confidence in the present standing of wool values, and there must be a colossal consumption when values are so high, and still tend upward. The continued firmness in Coleman Street is having a very salutary effect upon those who all along have professed little confidence in the present high values, and the increased demand for crossbreds in particular has surprised not a few. The fact is, there is a growing belief that every grade of crossbred wool will be wanted at not far off to-day's prices, and taking things on the whole the market is distinctly better in tone and business more active. Merinos are exceed-

ingly firm, and topmakers will not accept a fraction less than they are asking. A good super 60's top is generally quoted at 27d, and 64's a penny more, and even at these figures Bradford is below London. In regard to crossbreds, there is distinct firmness in fine qualities, and although topmakers have received many bids at Jd to id under what they are quoting for 36's to 46's, yet they cannot afford to entertain such overtures. Trade is not particularly active, but there is no speculation. There continues to be some big weighs sent out to commission combers, and the Continent is buying fairly liberally of carded medium sorts. Taking things as a whole business is healthy, sound, and progressive. There continues to be a [ large consumption in all departments, and spinners are as hardpressed as ever they were. Manufacturers are also comfortably situated as regards orders, and on their part there is plenty of pressure to get out fabrics. Many have sold all their output till nest July, and on export account there has lately been a considerable accession of orders. Manufacturers are now getting ready their patterns for the spring of 1911, but winter confirmations are not coming in as well as might be expected. There is no question of a doubt that wholesale houses are considering seriously the enhanced prices manufacturers are enforcing, and if trade keeps good, they will have no other alternative than to accede to the increased prices which are being demanded. Noils are selling somewhat better, and at a fraction more. Mohair is very quiet, and prices is anything are slightly tending in buyer's favour.