QUANTITIES AVAILABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 8

QUANTITIES AVAILABLE.

The smallness of the offerings is food for consideration and reflection by everybody, and is matter for general comment among buyers. It looks like "short commons'* to the majority for the next three months, and it is safe tc say that tho trade will be quite ready for Ihe next Australian clip when it is available. The following table shows how quantities have gradually diminished at the July aucfons during recent yoars, and is worth more than passing attention: — Year. Bales. 1905 .« .. ».. »„ 118,956 1904 „ „ „, .. 130,000 1903 %,, .„ ..j .. 160,003 1902 „ „, 217,500 1901 .. ... .. .„ 326,003 1950 ... „.. ... .. 283,000 1899 „ 231,000 1895 371,000 The above table shows a vast transformation in the wools available for sale, and buyers might well complain at the poorness of supplies. The "good handful" that has to be offered will no doubt provide everyone with a little bit of stock to go on with, and the fact is remarkable that all speculativ3 feeling- is practically a dead letter, even though supplies are so small. Tha general impression is that the American section has done quite enough of pushing up values for some time to come, and certainly wool to-day is far from being cheap. In face of such small supplies it was generally expected that prices would appreciate still further, while if America got to work like it did in May, there is no telling whore things would be pushed to. I should not be surprised to see a still further hardening tendency towards the finish, but in the opinion of the best men in the trade prices are high enough, - and more harm than good would be clone by their being pushed .still further. This much can be said, that things are being looked upon with "real interest, and everyone left for London feeling satisfied that we were to witness .mother upward move. The. difference of opinion was only in defining + !i-3 extent of the nsrv and with e\eiybod? wanting wcol a lively time seemed likely.