WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23166, 12 October 1938, Page 11

WOOLLEN INDUSTRY

COMMONWEALTH MILLS EXPANSION SINCE THE WAR VALUE TO THE GROWER [ The growth of woollen manufacturing in Australia and the support the industry is giving tho xvoolgrower there is the subject of an article in Dalgety's annual wool review. It is shown that the quantity of wool absorbed by the Commonwealth has substantially increased since pre-war days, but as production is limited to local requirements it would appear that progress of the future must mainly depend upon an increase in Australia's population. In 1906-7 the Commonwealth factories absorbed only 66,019 bales, but by the outbreak of war the intake bad risen to 83,557 bales. The abnormal demand for military clothing resulted in a rapid expansion to 136,331 bales in 1915-16, but with the arrival of peace requirements were reduced to 87,772 bales in 1920-21. The post-war years, however, saw a rapid expansion in the industry and from 138,079 bales required in 1921-22 the mills' demands rose almost consistently, reaching" 332,179 bales in 1937-38.

Although buying on local users' account is never on a spectacular scale, the review states, it is, nevertheless, distinctly helpful and its steady increase during recent years has been of materia] assistance to the market. A feature of the demand from local mills is that it is well spread. The Australian manufacturer is so close to the producer that there is not the same necessity, as in the case of old world users, to build up stocks. Expansion in recent years has been greatest in New South Wales. # ln this state in 1901 there were four mills employing 234 employees and using material valued at £30,272. In 1,936-37 there were 20 mills employing 6289 workers and using materials, valued at £2.657,891. In six years the woollen and worsted cloth produced has risen from 5,660,212 yards in 1930-31 to 14,992,758 yards in 1936-37.

STRONG SYDNEY COMPETITION FRANCE AGAIN PROMINENT . (Received October 11, 10 p.m.) SYDNEY,, Oct. 11 Strong competition again dominated the wool sales, France being the most prominent, with good support from Yorkshire, and minor support from Japan. Greasy Merino made to 17i<l per lb., against 16|d yesterday. Of 11,441 bales offered, 10,850 were 6old, 1469 privately. STOCKS OF BUTTER LONDON ACCUMULATION INCREASE ON LAST YEAR PRICE SITUATION INDEFINITE

Maximum butter, and pheese prices, which were fixed on the British markfet during the recent crisis to rule for & fortnight from September 27, expired yesterday. There has been no indication when control of the price will be suspended. " ' va . Stored stocks of Empire butters have been steadily accumulating in recent weeks, and the present levels are particularly high. At the close of last week, New Zealand stocks stood at 5277 tons, showing the large increase of 1428 tons in a week. The total a year ago was 4980 tons. Australian stocks at 4110. tons dropped by 73 tons during the past week, but were still considerably in excess of tho figure last year of only 1124 tons. By arrangement with the Primary Products Marketing Department tho New Zealand Dairy Board supplies tho following information for the week onded October 8, figures for the previous week being given in parentheses. Prices are maximum quotations:— Butter.—New Zealand, salted, 116s (116s); unsalted, 118s (118s). Deliveries: New Zealand, 1343 tons (last year 2197 tons); in store, 5277 tons (last year 4980 tons).- Australian, salted,' 114s (114s);- unsalted, 116 a ,(116s). Deliveries: , Australian, 2046 tons (last year 781 tons); in store, 4100 tons (last year 1124 tons). New Zealand retail price unchanged at Is 3d per lb. Argentine," unsalted. 112s (112s); Danish, 108s, f.0.b., 129s to 130s, spot ( —, 135s to 1365); Dutch, unsalted,' 112s (112s); Estonian, salted and unsalted, 112s (112s); Latvian, salted and unsalted, 112s (112s); Lithuanian, salted and unsalted, 112s (112s); Polish, salted and unsalted, 110s (110s). Danish retail price unchanged at Is 4d per lb. Cheese.—New Zealand, -white and coloured, 72s' (725). Deliveries: New Zealand, 16,4.13 crates (last year -17,179 crates);, in store, 37,164 crates (last year 49,326 crates). New Zealand retail price unchanged at 9d per lb. Australian, white ana coloured, 69s to 70s (69s to 70s); Canadian, white 4nd coloured. 72s (725); old season's, white and coloured. 80s (80s). Deliveries: Canadian, 17,535 boxes (last year 16,288 boxes): in store, 112,923 (last year 13.899 boxes). English, finest farmers', 88s to 90s (88s to 90s); fac* tory, 68s to 69s (68s to 695).