OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3169, 9 December 1914, Page 12

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

(Frou Our Special Correspondent.) BRADFORD, October 16. AFTERMATH OF THE LONDON SALES After the heat and Hurry of a week in Coleman Street interest has once more been shitted from distributing to consuming centres, and to all appearance there is as likely a proceeding m the latter as there, was before the recent sales began. But lot us first of all look at Coleman Street again. The event was so historical and the results so exceedingly good that it would be out of place to pass them over as being unworthy of comment. The auctions served an exceedingly good purpose by showing the actual standing of the raw material. They have also created a basis for operations in Australia snd South Africa. Of course, very un que factors were at work rn Coleman Street a week ago. Although there was a complete absence of all German and Belgium buying, the Continent is credited with having purchased about 2050 bales, and i should say that the bulk of the wools have gone to new countries or, at least, new customers. It transpired that Italy, Denmark, Holland, and also Sweden were represented very considerably, which means that merinos have beer, bought 'for those markets. Whether wool will bo allowed to be shipped will be a question to be decided by the Custom House officials along with the board which is going to be established. No doubt every consideration will be given to the ex port of merinos, providing a guarantee is given that the wools are not to be used for the production of fabrics for the enemy. The experience of the past three weeks has shown something of the ingenuity of the German merchant who is hard up for wool stock, and when a certain section of the commercial community in Sweden, about whom nothing is known, is seeking wool in Bradford, it does indeed give rise to feelings of suspicion. MERINOS GAINED GROUND. The wool sales had not finished when th« last mail left. It is therefore in order to say that the last two days saw the same strong buying spirit as prevailed during th,7 first three days of the auctions, and 1 am certain that the bulk of the merinos, especially wool showing decent style and of good combing length, appreciated 5 per cent, compared with the opening rates. Although Bradford was practically the only buyer, it was evident that urgent wants had to be covered, due to many topmakers being completely sold out. It is certain that outside woollen manufacturers did not make the pace for the sale of merinos, this beingdone by the. topmakers and spinners from Bradford and district, who, I am glad to say, are exceedingly busy, and want a large supply of wool. It is really wonderful how the merino trade has come forward during the past month—in fact, the whole of the text le industry of Great Britain seems to have turned over a now loaf. The first shock of the Avar has completely passed, and when men regained confidence and the Government began to place huge orders for khaki cloths, and also hosiery fabrics, even Leicester hosiery manufacturers had to come to Bradford for cap spun yarns in order to carry out the orders which they had taken The experience of the past month has proved conclusively that when Continental mule-spun yarns are no longer available, cap-spun yarns -will do as well. No doubt the fabrics arc hardly as full handling as if they had been made from mule-spun yarns; but so far as wearing capacity is concerned, those made from cap-spun yarns will be better, a better class of combing wool being used by Bradford than Belgium. The end approached with merinos soling at the maximum, and certainly having recovered an all-round gd for good combing. Some ot the faulty scoureds made often Id more than on the opening day, it being acknowloged that the wellknown Adelaide scoureds GU/H did better the day before the auctions closed than when they were offered on the first day. CROSSBREDS TRIUMPHANT. Right to the finish of the recent auctions crossbreds simply bounded up. There was never a slack night—in fact, all descriptions of crossbreds were called for in a wonderful manner. Where prices would have gone if the Continent and America had been allowed to have their fill, it is not difficult to say, the embargo putting out of gear America in particular. The few buyers present from that quarter felt somewhat perturbed; and well they might. American manufacturers have undoubtedly given European orders both for khaki, blankets, etc., and they stand in need of b : g supplies of crossbred wool; but neither New Zealand crossbred nor English avools being available, they will have to got their supplies solely from Buenos Aires, and no doubt they will be large buyers in that market directly the new clip wools are available. Crossbreds made a substantial advance, the result being that Bradford buyers went home satisfied at covering some needs, although not liking the prices which they had had to pay. Of course, they wore entirely the creatures of circumstance, and the 25.000 bales of Now Zealand avools catalogued wore absorbed like a hungry dog devours a bone. Scoured crossbreds also went bke hot cakes; but, of course, there were few available, much to the chagrin of South of Scotland buyers, Avho were wanting some good Aveights. SHpes, of course, were the “Hon” of the series, the advance here being tremendous. Wools were sold which made nearer 40 per cent, than a 20 per cent, advance—in fact, the position of these avools presents to-day quite a spectacular appearance, and their standing will form an un-

doubted record. I give below the usual table showing the alterations which have taken place in the movement of prices compared with the close of the previous series:— AUSTRALIAN WOOLS. Greasy merino, superior Id cheaper „ „ average to good Id to lid cheaper „ „ inferior and wasty lid cheaper Scoured „ superior IJd cheaper >. „ average to good lid cheaper „ inferior 2d cheaper Lambs, superior, in grease Id dearer „ „ average to good lid cheaper „ „ inferior lid cheaper Greasy crossbred, fine Id dearer ~ ~ medium lid dearer „ „ coarse lid dearer Scoured ~ fine 2d to 2id dearer „ „ medium 2d to 3d dearer ~ „ coarse 2d to 3d dearer NEW ZEALAND WOOLS. Greasy merino, good to superior Id to lid cheaper „ „ inferior to average IJd to 2d cheaper Scoured ~ good to 'Superior 2d cheaper „ ~ faulty and inferior lid to 2d cheaper Greasy crossbred, fine light Id dearer } , ~ medium lid dearer ji >, coarse lid dearer „ „ fine, aver. to heavy condition id to Id dearer „ „ medium Id to IJd dearer „ „ coarse Id to lid dearer Greasy crossbred lambs, 2d to 2id dearer „ „ average to good 2d to 21 d dearer Scoured „ fine 2d dearer „ „ rued ura 2d to 3d dearer » „ coarse 2d to 3d dearer „ slice, fin" 3d to 4d dearer „ „ medium 3d to dd dearer » » coarse 3d to 4d dearer SOUTH AFRICAN WOOLS. Snow white, superior 2d to 21 d cheaper „ medium to good 2d to 2id cheaper „ „ inferior 2Jd cheaper Greasy combing, light Id to lid cheaper „ heavy Id to lid cheaper „ clothing, light Id cheaper >, „ heavy Id to IJd cheaper THE OUTLOOK. Tlie future ’s being watched with a good deal of concern. The Importers’ Committee have wisely decided to hold another short series of sales beginning on November 3, followed by another series on December 8. I entirely endorse their action. I believe their policy to ba to keep arrivals moving to the ultimate consumer, and regard the future in a very hopeful spirit. Of course, merinos must come down to a lower level when a big weight of wool is available; but for ail that, I am not looking for any serious slump in juices, for to all appearance English and American mills bid fair to continue to be busy, in which case a big supply of merino and crossbred wool will be wanted.