Mystery Wool Cargo Leaving Dunedin

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 47, 25 February 1938, Page 6

Mystery Wool Cargo Leaving Dunedin

BELIEVED TO BE FOR RUSSIA Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Feb. 24. Reticence is being observed by the commercial interests concerned with respect to a shipment of wool which is to leave Dunedin by the Karetu tomorrow, nominally for Australia. There is reason to believe, however, that this will be merely the first stage of the journey, and that the eventual destination of the wool is Russia. It has been stated that both the New Zealand Government and the British Government are interested in the shipment, but verification on this point Is not available. A suggestion that there is some urgehey for the dispatch of the wool is conveyed by the fact that the Union Company’s intercolonial steamer. Karetu, which does not customarily call at Dunedin, has been diverted to this port to pick up the shipment. She is due here to-morrow from Oamaru and northern ports and Is timed to leave in the evening for Sydney via Bluff.. Although definite information is lacking, there is an assumption in local wbol broking circles that the wool Is bound eventually for Russia, and that when it reaches Sydney it will be transhipped for another stage of the journey. It has been suggested that from Sydney it will be sent to Apia, and from there to Port Said. The reason for the short stages is not apparent. It is contended in some quarters that the object is to disguise the destination of the wool, although it is not explained why, but this method of shipment may have been undertaken owing to the difficulty in obtaining favourable insurance risks over the longer journey. No definite information was avail-"" able to-day as to the size of the shipment. It is believed, however, that it is a fairly substantial one. At the wool sale held in Napier on Monday last a quantity of coarse bred showing super style, which made the best selling of the day, was stated to be bought for Russia. Although this information could not be confirmed, there is a very strong suspicion that this particular wool, for which the buyer in question appeared to operate without limits, is destined for Russia. This view was held by-many Intel ested in the tiade.