THE WOOL CLIP

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 10

THE WOOL CLIP

PURCHASE BY IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, December 6. A meeting of delegates from the Canterbury Sheep-owners’ Union,_ the North ’Canterbury A. and P. Association, and the Farmers’ Union branches was held to-day to consider matters arising out of the purchase of the wool cLp by the Imperial Government. Complaint was made that the Government had broken its agreement with the growers by not protecting their interests in regard to two shipments, and, no arbitrator being appointed, it was agreed that the sheepowners should appoint throe representatives to check the valuations. The following resolution was endorsed: “That it be a recommendation of the Canterbury Sheep-owners’ Union that the Government be requested to make provision, in the interests of the wool-scouring industry, for at least as much wool to bo treated at the local works under the requisition scheme as was treated in the past.’’ Mr A. Boyle waited on the meeting, and gave a resume of what had been done in regard to valuing wool in Christchurch. Twelve men, working in pairs, had gone round the stores. The brokers were not particularly enamoured of the system, because they considered there was a chance of the wool as a whole being unevenly valued. In most cases—probably 90 per cent. —the Government value was fair, and in the remaining 10 per cent, the values were in favour of the buyers, but on appeal the values had been increased. Ho was satisfied that the growers were getting fair value for their wool, but certain classes would probably fetch more at auction.

COMMANDEERING QUESTION. REPLY TO CRITICISM. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 7. The Minister of Commerce (Mr MacDonald) made a statement to-day in reply to the complaint of the Canterbury farmers regarding the valuation of wool. He gave some other interesting information about the wool purchase organisation, now almost complete. The Canterbury farmers' complaint was that the Government had broken faith in not protecting their interests by appointing an arbitrator. Mr MacDonald said that owing to the congestion at several ports in New Zealand, and no ships being available for the export of wool, at the urgent request of those interested at different ports he had agreed to the valuers proceeding with the valuation before the whole organisation of the scheme had been definitely' settled. lie had no intention of breaking his word in regard to an arbitrator, who would be appointed as soon as a suitable man was located. The Minister said he had no knowledge of the two shipments referred to by the Canterbury people. He would like the sheep owners to recognise that everything possible was being done to bring the scheme into operation within the next few days. The farmers had only to lodge an appeal against a valuation, and the matter would bo adjudicated upon later, the wool remaining in the store in the meantime. The Minister emphasised the fact that of 5000 bales valued at Christchurch only 10 per cent. had been disputed, which suggested that the valuations were fairly satisiactory. Had the wool been submitted to public competition he was confident that at least 10 per cent, of it would have been withdrawn. When the arrangements for valuation are complete the owners of the wool will be amply safeguarded against unfairness. The

valuation will be mads in the first instance by two valuers—one appointed by the Government and one appointed by the brokers. The brokers are the agents of the growers in the business, so that the brokers' valuer is in every case virtually the growers' valuer. If there is a dispute or dissatisfaction about the first valuation, the supervising valuer is called in, and he adjudicates. There will be eight of these supervising valuers —one for each of the eight districts into which the country has to bo divided for the carrying out of tho .scheme. If the grower is still not satisfied, he may appeal to the arbitrator, for an arbitrator is to bo appointed nt every valuing port. ]f the grower is still not satisfied he will have a still further right of appeal to a central committee in Wellington, consisting of three representatives of tho South Island and three representatives of tho North Island, with the Minister (Mr MacDonalcl) as chairman. The wool is valued first of all by valuers who are not financially interested, and after tho first valuation there

arc three appeals, in every case to an autho rity net financially interested.

The Minister hopes that the experience gained in the valuing operations now completed or in hand will be valuable in the final settlement of the numberless details involved m this big- business. The valuers are to be recalled to Wellington shortly to confer, and after this meeting it is hoped that the work will ran more smoothly than it has run up till the present. An Advisory Committee of three members has been set up to assist the Minister in dealing with certain classes of questions which arise perpetually. The wool requisition has upset the business of a number of people who formerly handled wool as fellmongers, as wool scourers, and as shipping agents for small clients, and these people have some claims to consideration, especially in view of the promise given by the Minister that it was the intention of the Government to allow the wool business, as far as possible, to go along the ordinary trade channels.