THE WOLLEN TRADE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 143, 19 June 1913, Page 3

THE WOLLEN TRADE.

Buyers who have been to Coleman Street Wool Exchange during the past fortnight hare had clear proof that the raw material occupies a fairly encouraging position. It is quite true that wool has not gone at higher values than were current in March except in a few isolated cases, the bulk of the offering selling on a parity with prices current at the enct of the second series. AYe; are satisfied that everyone has tried to put the best face 'on the situation, and some reasonable lots have frequently been secured. At the same time, there has been nothing cheap, and although second-hand parcels have been catalogued freely, they have often had to be withdrawn on account of owners not -receiving a profit on their purchases. Still, the fact is there that a big weight of wool has been shifted, and the outstanding feature is the well-sustained and keen competition on the part of the home trade. There has not been a slack r.ight throughout the entire series, values being very regular day after day- Great faith has been exercised in the future, otherwise pricefe would certainly have declined. Lancashire flannel manufacturers seem to be eager to secure lambs' wool, and although this description cannot be quoted higher, it sells at very extreme prices. A big firm of Rochdale manufacturers said that all the advance they have been able to obtain on flannels 'is f d per yard, compared with the prices fixed in January, 1912. This is equal to about l£d per lb. •advance in the wool, but as a matter of fact, the advance is more like 4d to 5d on the scoxired pound. There is great complaining among Rochdale people at the lean times they are experiencing. Generally speaking all flannel and shirting manufacturers are busy, and would gladly welcome lower values. It is a fact that high wool values seldom mean reasonable profits to manufactuiiers, and that is the case to-day. Still, we cannot see any prospect of lower. prices, and believe that all things considered the outlook for the raw material is favorable, and will b/econie more so when the adverse factors of to-day are a thing of the past.