NEW ZEALAND WOOL IN AMERICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1955, 9 May 1889, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND WOOL IN AMERICA.

Some little time ago Mr John T. Matson received a request from Mr A. M. Garland, of the Home' Market Club of Illinois, Chicago, that he would forward, samples of New Zealand wools for exhibition there. Mr Matsoh (says the Press) with the cooperation of; several of the leading Woolgrowers of Canterbury, was enabled to schd a large numb.ar of very excellent samples. The following reply was received by the mail yesterday: — The Home Market Club of Illinois, ' ' Chicago, March 25.' Mr J. T. Matson, Ohristchur'ch. Dear Sir,—l am in receipt of your esteemed favour of February 22, with enolosed invoice and bill of lading of wool samples so kindlytorwarded. I have mailed the papers to a friend in San FranoiscO, and without .waiting for arrival of the packages'hasten to thank you for your courteous and liberal response to m? request for New Zealand woojl. samples. I wil^ deposit these at some suitable place, have ahnonncement made in the papers, aud otherwise endeavour to have their merits recognised by interested parties. I note your inquiry as to probable repeal of duty now impdbed on foreign wools, and reply that there seems little probability of a change in th« existing law; The question of defending- our domestic industries against foreign competition was very clearly before voters during last year's campaign for election of President aad Congressmen, and the result showed increased support of a protective policy. ,',The faot that Mr Cleveland declared for " free wool,!' and for a general reduction of impoßt duties, was the main cause of his defeat for re-election and loss of the small majority in Congress in sympathy with him. That majority is now reversed. The facilities of this country for wool production are very greati'andthe interest is so large as to command shearing when any change in Customs laws is being considered; hence there seemß no room for doubt that all foreign wools ■ finding a market in the United States for some years* to come will ,bej subjected to a duty equal to or approximating that now in force, 10 cents per lb, unwashed, except carpet wools, whioh pay, 2iicents to 5 cents per lb, according to value. Letmeaasure you that J^ heartily appreciate, your reference to our meeting, and desire for its repetition. I know not when, if ever, I shall visit your interesting colony, but if ib is my fortune to do so, I assure you that you will be promptly advised, when I hope to be able to personally assure you of a sense of .obligation for courtesies at your hands which I here so feebly express.