LONDON WOOL SALES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 8

LONDON WOOL SALES.

'(Feci Ou .Special LONDON, March 18, 1910. MERINOS STILL LEADING IN PRICE This is the second week oi the series, Hid although stopped by one day of fog, rtill the same keen inquiry for the raw Jiaterial has been witnessed. The selection has continued to be very good both in merinos and crossbreds, and the former undoubtedly still occupy premier position. Up to was paid on Wednesday night for New England (N.S.W.) grease, and anything fine in quality and good length is selling uncommonly well. There is a particularly strong demand on Bradford account for West Australiar. wools, these doing splendidly, and making up to a shilling for very average grease. What still Belle worst are the very shafty South Australian wools that are rather low in quality, these feeling the want of American competition. There is no doubt that the absence of this feature is responsible for some parcels coming Id per lb less, and many speculators' lots have had to be withdrawn entirelv on account of this Wools of quality ere selling the best, the Continent giving excellent support. Prices can now be called dearer by id per lb for good grease, and scourede are better by id to Id. The demand for scoured seedy, burry, carbonising parcels is particularly keen, and these are up Id All classes of merinos are selling as well as ever, both the Home and Continental trades buying largely Crossbreds are the disappointing quantity, especially American- sorts. It will be remembered that in January prices were sent rjp s penny for bright, showy, medium, and coarse wools solely by United States buyers, and with quieter conditions across the Atlantic there is now lower limits in operation, and considerably less buying loeing done. This has meant Id to l£d drop in essentially American medium and coarse crossbreds, and sellers are consequently very disappointed. For halfbreds the reverse is the case. In January they made no headway, but this series they have again become dearer, and id more is the order of the • day. Bradford, Scotch, and American buyers are competing keenly for 50's to 56's, and some splendid prices are being paid. Good average top-making wools are id down, but for every quality the demand is gooc 1 and keen up to a price. - - ~ Slipes -are selling splendidly, and easily making last sales' prices, and for short clothing sorts id more is being paid. They are somewhat scarce, hence their firmness. Taking the series as a whole, there is nothing whatever to find fault with, America •being the "■ missing link in medium and coarse light-conditioned parcels. The Home trade is a very big buyer, and everything is going off creditably. WOOL-COMBERS' STRIKE ENDED. Since writing last the wool-combers' strike in Bradford, which affected about 9000 operatives, has come to a finish, all mills ire-starting last Monday morning. lam certain that if it had continued another fortnight it would have brought down wool prices, at the same time putting up the value of tops that were in stock. However, all alike rejoice that common sense has been allowed full sway, and at an >'-- ,, wrtant (conference between masters and *''■>*» ;ioliowing terms were agreed 1 That a federation of employers be ■formed; that ? joint board of employers end employees be formed for dealing with /wages, conditions of labour, and the settlement of disputes, provided that the parties concerned eannot come to a mutual understanding, and that a conference for this purpose be convened by the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of Bradford not later than April 11, 1910.

2. That an advance of 6d per week be given to all employees receiving less than 15s per week, and an advance of Is to those receiving 15s per week and over, the advance to commence- from March 11, and that a further advance of 6d and Is respectively be given, commencing August p, 1910 3.. That two stops of half an hour each, or theii equivalent, be allowed all night ■workers for "meals, for which there shall •be n< deduction on the present rate of wages, with the condition that meals must be taker only during such stoppages. 4. That it is now definitely understood, as per Alderman Hayhuret's declaration at a conference 0.l the 9th inst. that in case of complaints or disputes occurring in any establishment efforts shall first be made to settle directly by employer and employed, and only failing agreement shall union officials intervene. 5. Should these terms be agreed to between the employers and workmen it is ■understood that all employee employed at the commencement of the dispute shall commence work without prejudice at a date to be fixed by the employers.

Sold by Messrs Jacomb, Son. and Co., ■March 9:—Te Apiti: Greasy—s 6 bales super crossbred lid, 9 do lid, 63 do 10id, li do first pieces 9Jd, 7 second do BJd, 14 do bellies 8&d Cross/Opou: Greasy—l 3 super crossbred lljd, 61 A do lOjd, 8S do lOd, 24 do %d, 5 do 9|d, 15 first pieces Sd, 6 second do sid, 10 bellies B£d, 20 first lambs Hid, 14 second do 9id. Bright, light, and lustrous. Sold by Messrs Willans and Overbury, ■lnarch 10: —J.P.L./Sherenden : Greasy toales A A and P. crossbred 12£d, 18 B do llid, 60 do 10|d, 17 C do Hid, 33 do lljd, 48 D do lOcl, 22 pieces do Od; 12 bellies do S3d. 6 A lambs dc i2§d, 4 B do lid. 36's to 40s, very light ;_.AI condition, and good length. Sold by Messrs H. P. Hughes and Sons, earns day:—Ciaverley/U.T.U. • Greasy—22 bales super firs' combing H and W 13Jd, 19 do E 13Jd, 23 second do 13d. 9 do 12d, 3 third do lUd. 14 pieces llJd, 5 B do, 9d, 5 9 do Sd, 4 locks 6gd, 1( sxiper .first halfbred combing 15|d, 6 second do 14Jd, 6 do 14d, 4 halfbred pieces 13d. 64's to 70's grand quality, sound, and nice length. Sold by Messrs Thomas and Cook, March 11:—Hudson/Crossed Keys: Greasy—4 bales Buper halfbred 13 id; 10 A do 12d, 4 B do 12d, 17 A E.omney 12r £ B do lid, 21 A threequarterbied 10id, 5 do 11, 8 crossbred 10id,3' do pieces lid, .6. da .be11ie5..8d..... Sold by Messrs 'Brixton," Ronald, and Co., March 12 : —Moko : •" Greasy—S bales'B crossbred 14d, 2? do 14d, 8 F d.o 13Jd, 6 E> do 12d, 6 do lid, 10 C do 13d, 25 F da lid, 3 first do pieces lOJd,' 8 do- bellies 9M, 3 do pieces 7fd, 11 first do iambs 14d, ? second do 12d. Grw'av&s-- Greasy—6 bales AA halfbred 15d, 11 A do 13d, 67 B crossbred 12d, 86 C do

lljd, 7 do Hid, 15 do lid, 48 M do IOJd, 21 do lOd, 8 B dc'i IOJd, 8 do lOd, 4 Romney lid, ]S second crossbred pieces lOd, 16 do bellies Bid, 26 A do lambs 12Jd, 8 B do lid, 6 C do IOJdCONDITIONS IN BRADFORD.

The event of the past week has been the settlement of the wool-combers' strike, and once more the trade breathes frcly. We are glad the men have taken a S2i»*'-ole view of the situation, and that a b~*\ter understanding now obtains between masters and operatives than has hitherto existed. The resumption of work has been the signal for confidence in the present standing of wool values, and there must be a colossal consumption when values are so high, and still tend upward. The continued firmness in Coleman Street is having a very salutary effect upon those who all along have professed little confidence in the present high values, and the increased demand for crossbreds in particular has surprised not a few. The fact is, there is a growing belief that every grade of crossbred wool will be wanted at not far off to-day's prices, and, taking things on the whole, the market is distinctly better in tone and business more active. Merinos are exceedingly firm, and topmakers will not accept a fraction less than they are asking. A (good super 50's top is generally quoted at 27d, and 64's a penn\ more, and even at these figures Bradford is below London. In regard to crossbreds, there is distinct firmness in fine qualities, and although topmakers have received many bids at id to under what thej are quoting foi 36's to 46's, yet they cannot affbrd to entertain such overtures Trade is not particularly active, but there is no speculation. There continues to be some big weights sent out to commission combers, and the Continent is buying fairly liberally of carded medium sorts. Taking things as a whole business is healthy, sound, and progressive. There continues to be a large consumption in all departments, and spinners are as hard pressed as ever they were. Manufacturers are also comfortably situated as regards orders, and on their part there is plenty of pressure to get out fabrics. Many have sold all their output till next July, and oh export account there has lately been a considerable accession of orders. "Manufacturers are now getting ready their patterns for the spring of 1911, but winter confirmations are not coming in as well as might be expected. There is no question of doubt that wholesale houses are considering seriously the enhanced prices manufacturers are enforcing, and if trade keeps good they will have' no other alternative than to accede to the increased prices which are being demanded. Noils are selling somewhat better, and at a fraction more. Mohair is very quiet, and prices if anything are slightly tending in buyei-'s favour.