DEMANU FOR WOOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23259, 31 January 1939, Page 5

DEMANU FOR WOOL

COMMONWEALTH SALES STEADY MARKET PROSPECTS BUSINESS IN. AMERICA Although Australia carried over 238,000 bales of wool at the end of last season, the quantity in hand for sale at December 31 was 192,643 bales less than at the same date a year before. It speaks well for the consistency of the demand experienced that the Commonwealth was able to sell 1.395,110 bales in the first half of the season principally to the Continent and Yorkshire, states Winchcombe Carson, Limited, Sydney woolbrokers. The fact is that wool is safe buying at current figures. The chance of making money on its purchase is far greater than the risk of loss. No scope for a marked fall in values exists and a spurt in trade could easily lead to an appreciable advance. American orders have recently been fairly plentiful. Early December mail advices indicate that mill business in women's fabrics was increasing and the unfilled orders for men's 5 fabrics held by manufacturers were 30,000,000 yards, or twice the quantity recorded a year before. Climatic conditions play a large part in the state of trade. For a period in the United States the winter weather was unusually mild. Cold conditions arrived and retailers experienced a quick revival in demand for warmer apparel, blankets, underwear and hosiery. The effects of the weather on woolgrowers' welfare is, therefore, not confined to the pasturing of sheep and the production of the clip. Although the demand from Japan and the United States has of late been brighter, we must continue to look to the Continent and Yorkshire 'to lift the greater part of the wool available. They appear quite capable of absorbing it. The German trading agreement with South Africa has resulted in Germany being a most extensive purchaser .in that country. As a result other nations have been compelled to divert more-than-usual volume of their buying to Australian Merinos. A similar position existed when Japan bought in large quantities at the South African sales. Some .'English wool importers who to a great degree confined business to the importation of wool from Africa, have found their turnover seriously reduced by the prevailing situation. Australia is now more than Yorkshire's main source of supply for Merinos.

SECRETARIAT'S WORK EXHIBITION ARRANGE D ACTIVITY IN ENGLAND [from our OWN correspondent] LONDON, Jan. 5 In the main textile centres of Great Britain—Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bradford, Nottingham and Leicestermanufacturers recently met members of the International Wool Secretariat to learn of the progress made with wool publicity. The manufacturers had explained to them, the carefully thought-out-Echeme of the secretariat, which are designed to aid every section of the woollen industry. An outline was also given of the educational work in schools, which is ■ beginning this year, and of the lectures to the selling staffs of large retail stores. These are now proceeding, and will continue on every day of the week until the end of March. For this month the secretariat has planned an exhibition of beach wsar. This will include bathing suits, wraps and beach rugs. It is planned to counteract last year's tendency toward the popularity of rayon and rubber lastex in bathing and beach wear. This is another field in which wool can command a more important position. As in the case of-lingerie and underwear, Paris co-operation is being given, and the designs for the secretariat's exhibition have been prepared by a leading Parisienne. Mr. F. S. Arthur, the New Zealand representative on the secretariat, said that Nottingham and Leicester manufacturers had convinced him that this exhibition would not be a moment too soon. An even greater proportion of printed cottons and rayons would be used in beach wear next saason, and some new stimulus in style and design was urgently required to repopulanse wool. This stimulus, it is hoped, will be provided by the exhibition. GERMANY'S ADVANCE SOUTH AMERICAN MARKETS COMPETITION WITH BRITAIN The result of the efforts being made by Germany to extend her trade in South America, and Britain's fight, to retain her markets there, are indicated in South America's Trade, published by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. One of Germany's most striking advances has been :.n trado with Brazil, where in 1938 she displaced America as the leading importing country. America remained the leading buyer of Brazilian products, with a ' total value of £24,865,600. Germany was second with £8,441,800. The United Kingdom was third with total purchases of £7,645,400. and the fourth exporting nation behind Germany, the United States and Argentina. Britain's exports to Brazil were £5,547,400. Germany also displaced America as the principal exporting nation to Chile in 1936. but America displaced the United Kingdom as the chief buying nation from Chile.

Britain took the .place oii America us the leading seller to Argentina and Uruguay, and remained the leading buyer of Argentine and Uruguayan products. RAYON YARN OUTPUT FLUCTUATIONS OVER YEAR British production of rayon yarn and staple fibre shoV .1 a substantial expansion in November, the last month for which figures have been published. At a total of 12.413.1891b. it was the best since May. Rayon output was 7.6 per cent higher on the month at 8.401,9661b.. but that of staple "bra was only 1.7 per cent up, at 4,0il, "J b *On the year there was a drop of 19 per cent in rayon output, but staple fibre expanded by -T; V™ <*» ■ the toW r .f r.vSf yarn and staple fib™ ™ «/•' rmT C '°nXZ ~ '«o4B'2W,b-----10 7 ner cent, to 9f>.fJi.l/no-» StoSfr»_ ft