ENGLISH WOOL TRADE.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 273, 20 November 1919, Page 6

ENGLISH WOOL TRADE.

MACHINERY OUTPUT STILL INADEQUATE.

{ .f>BOM OCR OOBBRBPONDENI.J BRADFORD Sept. 3. A sale of Australian, New Zealand, -and Falkland Islands wool was held afc Liverpool last Thursday. American and French buyers were again well to the fore, competition being such as to lift superior merinos.s to 10 per cent above rates established in London at the sales recently closed. The total quantity offered was about 14,670 bales the details teing as follows: N*»w South Wales 4H78 bales, Victorian 1502 bales, Tasiuanian 1460 bales, South Australian 3^69 bales, New Zealand 2316 bales, Falkland Islands 1145 boles.. The South Australian arid Tasmaman vrools included some very good combing lots. Indeed, the latter afforded quite a treat for buyers interested in merinos qualities. A large part of it was fully 80's and in excellent condition. Greasy clips of the quality named, and of about 50 per cent clean yield, made 57d to 62d according to condition and yield, the higher price icing forthcoming for 3 to ih inch

warp wools. Clothing' wools realised 51£ dto 55d. Greasy crossbred combing clips made from 29d to 30d. The well-known New Zealand slipe halfbred lambs of the Gear mark made 45d. The general position of crossbreds snowed little change compared with London, the same statement applying to average merinos. France showed special interest in merinos of superfine quality. The selection of scoured merinos was very good, all the Australian States being represented. The attendance of buyers was large, and as an indication of confidence in the future of the raw r.aterial, the sale was very satisfactory. TOP VALUES VERY FIRM. The machinery position in this centre is practically the same as last week. The strong tendency of prices for merino wools as indicated at the Liverpool sale on Thursday, indicates the continuance of the present level for merino combings, and it is still being found that spot lots are practically unobtainable. The inquiry on forward account continues, but is far beyond the capacity of the trade to cope with it, and business in Cape tons is having to be turned down without the slightest hesitancy, there

being no prospect of giving the required delivery. The greatest concorn of topmakers is to get round combings in order to complete "the contracts now running. The price for quick delivery of botanies is scarcely quotable, almost any iigure being used for what are obtainable. All crossbred qualities or tops are firm. Spinners are still finding difficulty in gettin gadequate supplies of coal, and this along with the scarcity of tops, particularly fine qualities accounts for considerable proportion of standing spindles. Inquiries are still forthcoming on both home and export account, and though home trade spinners may be found who are anglmg for cheaper tops there is no prospect of them being able to buy except on a fully parity with to-day's rates. Advanced prices are being offered by merchants for certain classes of fine English wool, but so far without result. Export licences for wool are cfcly forthcoming slowly, and this is causing a good weight of business1 to be held up. Greater interest was shown in the sale of carbonised, English f-cece and skin and other wools held in Bradford on Friday, particularly the larger lots. An advanced scale of carbonising charges has come into force this week, the revision being necessary in consequence of the continued increase in working costs. ASSISTING EXPORT TRADE. A most significant announcement has been made with regard to the scope to be allowed to purchasers at the LondoA wool auctions. The first concession granted since the signing cf Peace was the admittance of Allied and neutral competition. America and France liave responded to the occasion exceedingly well, showing that they were ready to buy Colonial wool as soon as the chance was afforded. It is now known that the Government have decided that from September 1 onwards, auctions of wool will be free from all restrictions on either quantity or quality, this step being taken in view of increased stocks in the United Kingdom, and indications of sufficient wool to cover all local machinery requirements. Jjicences will still be necessary, and the privilege to export to any country will be extended to buyers who operated before August 11, on c< ndition that full particulars of I quantities, catalogue number, and date of purchase are given. It is clearly understood that. Germany is included in the concession and that licences will be granted for that destination. The point may be raised however, as to Germany's ability to pay, anj judging from the present rate of exchange, and the position created thereby, as mentioned last work, special financial arrangements will have to be made if business; is to be successfully negotiated with central Europe. It is understood that the Board of Trade intend to op-en an office under management appciiited by the Board for furnishing sterling credits, in accordance with the scheme for assisting the exportation of goods to certain disorganised parts of Europe, which was referred to by the Premier in the House of Commons on August 18. The credits will be based on bills drawn in this country by the seller of the goods and accepted by the buyer, and will be subject either: —

(a) To the deposit with an approved bank in the country of purchase of currency to an amount ■ required by the office; (b) to a guarantee of currency of a required amount by an approved bank; (c) to arrangements for the handing over of produce of the buying country; or (d) to the deposit of securities with the approved bank or the office tinder the scheme. Business will be taken only through banks and on the reports of banks, and the aggregate amount of credit to be granted will not exceed £26,COO,OOO. The area and classes of goods to which the scheme relates will be settled from time .to time by the Government, but credits will not be furnished either for the export of iaw material or for the sale of stocks held by Government Departments. HIGHER CARBONISING CHARGES. An illustration of the effect of ligher wages and enhanced working costs is given in a new carbonising tariff which came into operation on the same date as the new combing tariff, September 1. The revision is necessary in consequence of the continued increase in working costs. The new rate of charges for wool, card waste, and burrs, the old tariff b< ing added to indicate the actual ad\ance, is as follows.—

Producing up to 15 per cent, March 3, 12d. September 1, 12§d; producing over 15 per cent to 20 per cent, 10$ d, ]]^d; producing over 20 per cent to 25 per cent, 9£d. 9-gd; producing over 25 per cent to 30 per cent, B}d, "xß|d ; producing over 30 per cent to 35 per cent, 7-|d, B|d; producing over 35 per c«.nt to 40 per cent, 7d, 7|d: producing over 40 per cent to 45 per cnt, 6|d, 7-Jd; producing over 45 per cent to 30 ncr cent, 6-} d, 6ld; producing over .50 per cent to 55 per cent. 6d, 6§d; producing over 55 per cent to CO per cent, 5-|d ; 6§dj producing

over 60 per cent to 65 per cent, s|d, 6j-d; producing ovor 65 per cent to 70 per cent, s£d. s|d; producing over 70 per cent to 75 per cent, sd, sfd; producing over 75 per cent to 80 per cent, 4|d, ssd; producing over 80 per cent to 85 per cent, 4|d, s|-d; producing over 85 per cent to 100 per cent, 4|-d, 5Jd. WHERE UNITY REIGNS.

Amidst all the evidences of unrest in the worsted section of the wool textile industry, it is refreshing to come across individual cases where unanimity prevails between employer and employees. No doubt if the full tale were to be told other similar instances could be noted, but the one now in question is the firm of Smith, Bulmer and Co., worsted -pinnor.s. The head of that firm is Mr J. W. Bulmer, who played such an active part in securing an adequate allocation of tops to spinners during the heyday of State control. He also came forward in the hour of need with unanswerable statistics on the great question of wool supplies. Last week Mr and Mrs Bulmer were presented with tokens of respect by the workpeople at Keighley Mills, Halifax, one of the branches of the firm. It appears that Mr Bulmer has given to his employees double wages as a peace gift, but on the occasion of the employees' presentation it was pointed out that the gifts were not in return for what the employees had received, but as a token of good fellowship which it was hoped would continue.

When Mr Buhner commenced b"**ress at Keighley he had iOOO spindles, but the number at the various mills is now 42,000, and before the expiration of another twelve montihs, the firm expect to be controlling about 60,000 spindles. He attributes this achievement largely to the loyalty of his employees. His policy had been to give everyone a square deal. He became a full timer himself when he was 10£ years old, and therefore knows all the phases of mill life and can sympathise vith the workers' difficulties. Mr Buhner further stated thart he wished to see people eager to become, employed in the spinning industry, and rot ivgard it as a last resort. Present wages could be maintained if everyone did his duty, if full production were given and all waste eliminated. He did not wish the spinning industry to get into the position of the combing industry at the present time.