WOOL STOCKS LOWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 7

WOOL STOCKS LOWER

REDUCTION OF 30 PER CENT PAST SEASONS COMPARED Less wool was held in New Zealand at June 30 than at the same time in any of the three previous seasons. Compared with stocks held on June 30, 1932,- present holdings, on a greasy basis, show a reduction of 39,300,0001b. to 78,600,000, or over 30 per cent. The following table shows stocks on a greasy basis at Jane 30 in each of the past seven years: — lb. 19-27 . . . . . . . 20.000.000 1928 •' 19.500.000 1929 25.000.000 1930 . . 82,800.000 1931 97.000.000 193-2 117.900.000 1933 78,600,000 The quantities shown include wool held over from previous seasons and cover all wool held in the Dominion, and not merely wool still owned by producers. The increase in holdings over the period 1930-32 is indicative of the three difficult years experienced by woolgrowers, many of whom held their wool rather than release it on a falling market. The holding policy was revised during the past season, growers tending to meet the market, although average values showed little variation on the previous year. In recent months the wool market has firmed considerably. The sound statistical position should be a factor in promoting a buoyant market at the 1933-34 series of New Zealand sales. Computed on an ordinary basis, 74,006,0031b. of wool was held comprising: Merino, 1.970,5381b.; halfbred, 5,798,2751b ; Corriedale, 829,1951b.; other, including crossbred, sheep, 57,851,9871b.; lambs, 6,107,4921b.; unspecified; 1,448,5161b. , The various iinterelts in physical possession of stocks were as follows: —Woolbrokers (holding permits), 27,368,4371b.; woollen mills, 5,659,371 lb.; freezing works, 3,637,3451b.; woolscouring works, .3,504,2331b.; shipping companies, 5,207,5241b.; harbour board stores, 148,0831b.; railways, 197,9651b.; farmers, 28,283,0451b. FORESTS OF THE EMPIRE RESERVATIONS ADVOCATED PROVISION FOR POSTERITY [from our owS* correspondent] LONDON, June 23 Professor R. S. Troup, of the Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford, spoke at the annual meeting of the Men of the Trees at Chelsea Physic Garden, over which Sir Francis Younghusband presided. Professor Troup and Mr. J. S. Corbett, secretary of the Empire Forestry Association, made striking pleas for the preservation of stretches of primeval forests in various parts of the Empire, on the same basis that national reserves had been created on behalf of wild fauna. Professor Troup spoke of the various schemes of afforestation in India, the Dominions and the Crown colonies. Ho said he considered that sufficient, attention was not being given to the replanting of trees in view of the rate at which the timber resources of the world were being depleted. The probable result would be an alarming shortage of timber supplies in the not distant future. Even when reafforestation took place it was impossible to recreate the conditions of primeval forests or to allow trees to grow to the height they did under primitive conditions.

Growing _ for commercial purposes would not permit the waiting of 500 to 1000 years while' timber was attaining the heights that the best specimens did under primeval conditions. A few areas had been reserved for natural growth, but there were not nearly enough to save some of the finest specimens in the world from destruction. Areas might be selected of 10 to 20 square miles in extent in accessible places where they could be seen by visitors. / Forests were just as important, said the speaker, to preserve for posterity as wild fauna. If this plan were adopted it might save some of the magnificent kjuiri • pines of New Zealand, some of the giant eucalyptus trees of Australia, the wonderful Doughis firs of British Columbia, and some of the best specimens in the diminishing tropical forests. Mr. Gorbett said he thought it was regrettable that forestry was the Cinderella'department of all Governments, and that when the latter wanted to make cuts in expenditure th« first to suffer were the forestry services. In some places the whole forestry department had been abolished. He .wondered sometimes if those who_ made the cuts were mindful of the Ottawa Conference resolutions, and whether they remembered that Great Britain was paying £5,000,000 a year for foreign supplies of hardwoods that might be bought from Empire sources. CANTERBURY MARKETS WEAKENING IN POTATOES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] CHKISTCHURCH. Friday The markets are exceptionally quiet and a lull in the potato business has dried up the main source of activity. The market is inclined to be weaker, although there is little quotable change for prompts. These are quoted at £5 f.0.b., sacks included, or nominally £4 on trucks, but buyers are not operating much. August and September whites have been sold at £5 7s and to-day a sale was made at £5 os. Dakotas are in relatively better request and have been sold during the week at £6 and £5 15s. The Wingatui, from all ports, took 6000 sacks north on Wednesday night. Apparently this quantity is sufficient to restrain northern inquiry for the time being. The Waimarino is due to load next week. A rumour last week that a further shipment was pending to South America still lacks confirmation. The general impression is that further export is improbable . . Three Home-going boats will load wheat in the next week or ten days. With the arrival of August, wheat from local milling earns a further increment of id a bushel. Fowl whpat is attracting very little inquiry and is worth up to 3s 5Jd, f.0.b., sacks excluded. There is a weakening in the demand for oats, and A Gartens arc n6w worth Is 10d to Is lid on trucks, B's ls*6d to Is 7d. Heavy quantities of chaff have been offered during the last week, lho price to farmers is about 40s. There has been a general firming in the small seeds market in the last fortnight. Cocksfoot has shown mosl improvement. Akaroa, of which there is very little in the growers' hands, has improved to 5d a lb. to growers, or ?4d dressed, apd Plains is. worth 4Jd and 64d: Italian ryegrass is worth 2s a bushel on trucks and perennial Is 9d to 2s. There is little business in cowgrass, which is worth 8d to. B£d per lb. •to growers. White clover is now mostly j in the farpiers' hands. Choice is worth 8d to BJd per' lb. to farmers.