WOOL-SELLING SEASON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 3

WOOL-SELLING SEASON

ROSTER OF SALES _ The New Zealand Woolbuyers' Association has issued the following list of-sales for the 1935-36 season. The first sale will be held in Auckland on November 26, and the last sale at Wellington on April 5.

THe Wool Market Conditions in the wool market are still difficult to estimate in view of financial and economic uncertainty on the Continent, but everything points at the moment to an improved level of values when the New Zealand auctions are commenced in Auckland next month. The "futures" market for tops in Antwerp is now more in line with raw material costs than in periods of September when the Continental trade apparently had misgivings regarding trading prospects. The brighter feelings should not be interpreted as an idication of war creating ,* demand for the sheep's staple. Medium crossbreds, suitable for military clothing, art still relatively cheap compared with merinos. The sound statistical position of fine wools is the chief creative influence of this season's improved values and not any special increase in mill turnover in all quarters. Prices for metals and grain are admittedly higher, and the world consequently has better purchasing power, but the hope must be expressed that over-confidence in the wool outlook will not carry prices for the staple to a level which cannot be maintained. A season of moderate, sustained values is certainly desirable. Commonwealth Turnover Returns issued by the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia show that from July 1 to September 30 sales of wool ai- the principal selling centres of the Commonwealth totalled 308,100 bales, which realised £5,054,429. Compared with the corresponding period of last season, the turnover shows an increase of 28,307 bales, and the amount realised an increase of f 1,512,922. The greasy and scoured wool sold average £l6 8s Id per bale, or 12.84 d per lb, compared with £l2 13s 2d per bale or 9.69 d per lb secured during the similar three months of 1934, and £lB 3s 7d per bale of 14.03 d per lb obtained in 1933. The greasy wool sold in September averaged 12.27 d per lb, the 1934 September average being 8.7 d; 1933, 13.5 d, and 1932, 8.87 d. Figures below show the quantity sold and the amount realised from July 1 to September 30 during seven seasons:—

Receipts of wool at brokers' stores for the three months were 967,182 bales, an increase of 9405 bales compared with the preceding season. Merino Wool Supplies This season's Australian clip is expected to total 2,930,0)0 bales, which with the carryover of 85,865 bales brings the total quantity of Australian wool available to 3,015,865 bales. South Africa is estimated to produce a clip of 750,000 bales and carried over 12,000 bales, the total quantity of South African wool available being 762,000 bales. The total supplies of wool from the two countries, which are the world's chief exporters of merino, are therefore estimated to be 3,777,865 bales. Last season the combined Australian and South African quantity, including carry-over stocks, was 4,140,606 bales. The decrease is 362,741 bales. The following figures show the quantities grown with carry-over stocks added during five seasons:—

It is worthy of note that the total quan- ' tity is estimated to be 651,141 bales below the peak point of 1932-33, when the wool sold in Australia only averaged 8.96 d per lb. In viewing those figures it is advisable to regard them as a reason for the maintenance of satisfactory prices rather than as_ constituting a cause for " boom " rates. Higher prices check consumption and excessive levels have by that means resulted in the world finding itself with ample wool to cover its needs though a shortage originally looked probable. Crosebreds are to-day available in large quantities in "New Zealand and elsewhere. Production in Morocco Some years ago France embarked on an effort to increase wool production in quality in her territory in Morocco. It is difficult to judge results on a few years,

as adverse seasonal conditions can detract from any efforts made. Figures published by the Imperial Economic Committee show that Morocco produced in 192 S 28.100,0001 b of wool; 1929, 31,000,0001 b; 1930, '27,900,0001b; 1931, 23,100,0001 b; 1932, 26,400,0001 b; 1933, 27,000,000 lb; 1934, 28,300,0001 b, the latter figure being the equivalent of 91,290 bales of Australian weight. The number of sheep pastured in 1928 was 8,848.000 "head, decreased to 6,613,000 in 1931, but in 1934 was 8,086,000. The season apparently resulted in stock losses in 1930 and 1931, but since that time numbers have been on the up grade. TOPICS % INTEREST. OFFICIAL NOTES. The farmer isn't the only man who makes his living from the soil. Consider the dry cleaner. * * * The people of Cuba don't write or telegraph to their Government. They shoot at it. * * * All farmers in the Herbert district are invited to attend a meeting in _the Herbert Hall this (Thursday) evening, when addresses will be delivered by Mr S. D. Hlomfield (organiser, N.Z.F.U.) _ and members of the North Otago Provincial Executive. * * * The Hawea Flat Young Farmers' CJub intend holding a field day on Saturday nest, and from the programme it promises to be a most successful function. & * * At the last meeting of the Otakou Young Farmers' Club a general talk took place on the future development of the club, and arrangements were also made to hold a concert nnd dance at Pukehiki.' A field day, arranged by the combined Waikouaiti and Palmerston Young Farmers' Clubs is being held to-day at the Palmerston Show Grounds, when a full programme has been arranged. This includes demonstrations on the dairy cow, sheep, and horses. Mr J. M. Smith, of the Department of Agriculture, is to give a lecture on grasses and clovers, and the programme will conclude with a wool demonstration. * * * The Railway Board, which is at present touring the South Island, has consented to receive, on Friday evening next, a deputation appointed by the Provincial Council with regard to the unsatisfactory position in connection with the erection and maintenance of railway fences. It is considered that in the interests of public safety the Government should be responsible for the upkeep of these fences. The rapid spread of manuka in some districts has caused grave concern, and after the matter was fully discussed at the recent Provincial Council meeting, :'t was decided that Messrs Murney and Waite be asked to wait on the Minister of Employment with a view to obtaining the same assistance in its eradication as was available for the control of ragwort. As sweet briar and gorse in other districts were proving such a menace, it was decided that the representations made should include these noxious weeds as well. * * * The first meeting of the Otago General Committee of the N.Z.F.U. was held last week, when those present were Messrs E. H. Murney, C. R. Sheat, R. H. Michelle, and M. A. Kinney, representing the Otago Provincial Council; Messrs L. Kelcher, D. J. Roes, and W. Malcolm, representing the North Otago Provincial Executive; also Messrs J. M. Smith (Agricultural Department), A. C. Cameron, E. H. Calder, A. W. Woodward (North Otago provincial secretary), and S. D. Blomfield. Mr E. H. Murney was appointed chairman and Mr S. D. Blomfield was appointed secretary. Mr S. D. Blomfield briefly explained the reason for the formation of the committee. He stated that now that Otago and North Otago were grouped together for the purposes of representation on the Dominion Executive and for organising, it was felt that it would be advisable to have a joint committee to discuss matters of common interest to both provinces, and afeo to deal with questions of organising and the increase in local activities in the area. He pointed out that in the new system of organising being adopted in these provinces, branch committees had been set up to increase branch membership and also to increase branch activity. There were several union activities of a farming nature, which _ might be workable in different localities, and these would be discussed later, but he wished to stress the fact that by widening the sphere of activities of the branches they were going to widen the sphere of interest amongst farmers generally. He also stressed the necessity for a fairly wide choice of activities, as what might suit one locality might not suit another. * * # Owing to the difficulty experienced by horse-drawn traffic in winter in negotiating the steep grades on the northern side of the Kilmog, it has been decided by the Main Highways Board to construct a special side track for horses on some of the sharper bitumenised grades. The difficulty and danger to horses is noticed particularly when there is fro6t or snow on the road, and the matter was brought before the Main Highways Board some weeks ago by Mr A. E. Ansell, M.P. He has now received advice from the chairman of the board (Mr C. J. M'Kenzie) that the board has authorised the construction of a side track for horses on those sections between the top of the Kilmog and the bottom of the hill on the northern side where there are particularly steep grades. The necessity for this work has been stressed by the Waikouaiti branch, N.Z.F.U., and as the Otago Provincial Council has made repeated representations to the Highways Board on their behalf, it is gratifying to know that the work is to be commenced as soon as possible, and it is planned to have it completed before next winter. * * * Numerous representations have been made to the Unemployment Board from the various branches of the Farmers' Union regarding the difficulty experienced by many farmers in obtaining labour for seasonal or routine farm work, the contention being that the workers prefer the conditions and wages payable under the Unemployment Board's various relief schemes to the acceptance of farm work. In order to give full consideration to the position, the board is desirous of obtaining authentic information regarding the labour position in farming districts. Specific instances are required when farmers have been unable to obtain labour and also a general idea of the wages ruling in the different districts for farm labour and conditions of employment.

1935 Not. 28—Auckland. Dec. 12—Christchurch. Dec. S—Napier. Dec. 16—Tlmaru. Dec. 7—Wellington. Dec. 1936 20—Dunedin. Jan. 6—Wellington, Mar. 3—Christchurch. Jan. 11—Napier. Mar. 6—InvercarglU. Jan. 16—Wanganul. Mar. 11—Dunedin. Jan. 21—Auckland. Mar. 16—Wellington. Jan. 27—Christchurch. Mar. 20—Napier. Jan. 31->-Invercargill. Mar. 24—Auckland. Feb. 5—Dunedin. Mar. 27—Wanganul. Feb. 10—Tlmaru. Mar. 31—Christchurch. Feb. 15—Wellington. Apr. 4—Dunedin. Feb. 20—Napier. Apr. 5—Wellington. Feb. 24—Wanganul.

Bales. Values. 1929 .. . . .. 219,231 £3,092,588 1930 .. . . .. 245,708 2,892,886 1931 .. . . .. 262,171 2,545,812 1932 .. . . .. 370,262 4,445,298 1933 .. . . i,. 395,691 7,193,319 1934 .. . . .. 279,793 3,541,507 1935 .. . . .. 308,100 5,054,429

Australia South Africa. Total. Bales. Bales. Bales. 1931-32 .. . 3,105,119 1,009,136 4,114,255 1932-33 ., . 3,356,779 1,072,227 4,429,000 1933-34 . . 3,085,338 881,468 3.966,806 1934-35 ., . 3,411,206 729,400 4,140,606 1935-36 ., . 3,015,865 762,000 3,777,865