Criticises Delay In Wool Exports To Canada, U.S.

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1939, Page 2

Criticises Delay In Wool Exports To Canada, U.S.

(Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, November 30

Lord Francis Barnby. the wellknown industrialist, drew attention in the House of Lords to the delay in supplying Canada and the United States with merino wool and its cto--I’ivatives not wanted for military use. He said Canada was dissatisfied and the United States surprised at the tardiness and the resulting disadvantage to the Dominion woolgrowers. “There has also been strangulation for seven weeks,” he continued, “in most of the export trade in controlled articles and woollen derivatives.” Huge Sum Involved. Between £50,000,000 and £60.000,000 of public money was involved. It is purely a Pacific Ocean problem. Britain was being delayed in receiving much-needed dollars. France had produced a competitor to wool, namely rayon, and injudicious handling of wool problems, or the imposition of an over-high price, could easily result in a grave disadvantage for wool growers. “Canada comprehensively intimated her requirements on September 34, and there is still the gravest dissatisfaction.” he declared. Canadian Mills Affected.' “Canadian mills may have to shut down if requirements are not met. “The United States made an urgent representation on September 16, but no arrangements have yet been made. “Senators in the United States interested in wool might influence the future in a dominating way. “The matter is fraught with dangerous political possibilities. “The policy followed cannot have been on wool men's advice.”

S*rice Scale Settled

Lord Templemore, on behalf of the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence (Lord Chatfleld). announced that the scale of export prices for Australian and New Zealand wool clips had been settled.

Good progress had been made for their early release and for the shipment of the wool, so far as was available for the immediate requirements of Canada and the United States. Crossbreds were short, but there was an ample supply of merino wool for abroad.