WOOL DEADLOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17942, 18 November 1921, Page 6

WOOL DEADLOCK.

NO SETTLEMENT REACHED.

MR. MASSEY'S EFFORTS.

IN TOUCH WITH PARTIES.

[Br TELEGRAM— SPECIAL REPORTER.]

WELLINGTON, Thursday.

When tho Houso of Representatives met this afternoon Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) asked tho Prime Minister whether lie had eccived any reply to a cablegram which ho had sent to England regarding the wool trouble.

Mr. Massey said ho had heard a great deal about wool in tho preceding 48 hours, but was sorry to say that so far no settlement had been reached. Ho had been in communication this morning with tho representatives of tho brokers and indirectly with thoso of tho banks. He had also sent a cablogram to tho head of tho wool industry in England, but did not expect a reply for a day or two. He hoped that a settlement would bo reached shortly. Nothing very serious had como of tho difficulty so far, owing to tho fact that only about 5000 bales had arrived in Wellington, which was only a very small proportion of tho number that might bo expected later. Mr. Witty: Supposing that no arrangement is reached by tho parties, could you seo your way to alter tho Auctioneers Act f Mr. Massey replied that ho was afraid an alteration of the Act would not meet tho position. He had been informed that it would bo of very little use. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisbomc): The wool buyers aro making an unreasonable request. Mr. Massey said ho thought it would be better not to mako a statement of that kind in the present circumstances. He hoped tho parties would bo ablo to reach a friendly and satisfactory settlement.

OPINIONS IN AUCKLAND.

EARLY SETTLEMENT EXPECTED. Auckland woolbrokers, interviewed yesterday regarding tho troublo with the wool buyers, stated that it was anticipated a satisfactory arrangement of tho matter would bo reached in a day or two. A similar trouble had arisen in the Dominion about six months ago, when a temporary arrangement had been mado to cover nil Now Zealand Bales to tho end of October. The saino complications had led to a temporary stoppage of this season's wool sales in Australia, but apparently a satisfactory adjustment had been made, as tho sales had becD resumed. Tho postponement of tho Wellington sale, which was to have been held yesterday, it was stated, would result in a postponement of the first series of sales in tho Dominion, including the Auckland sale, which was fixed for December 5. In any case the brokers said it would be advisable for woolgrowers to send forward their clips for sale. No additional charge- for storage would bo mado in the event of tho sale being postponed, as no charge was mado until the grower had been given the opportunity of offering his wool. fee wool for the first Auckland sale is coming to hand in good supply. Ono broker remarked that the activity being displayed by woolgrowers this season was "quit* like old times." Ho added that probably a good deal of tho wool being received was from last season's clip, which had been held over. He emphasised the importance of holding regular sales in view of tho heavy financial responsibilities of the farmers.