WOOL AND MEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 11

WOOL AND MEAT.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. QUESTION OF STABILISING MARKETS. WELLINGTON, Januarv 15. A joint meeting of the Board of Agriculture and the Producers’ Committee was held to discuss various important matters bearing on the interests of the producers and of the dominion generally. The official report states that Sir James G. Wilson, President of the Board of Agriculture, who was in the chair, said that a general meeting had been called particularly to discuss the present position regarding wool, and in connection with that it was necessary to give special consideration to the large stocks of New Zealand wool now in the hands of the Impeif|jl authorities. At a large meeting of the producers held last year Mr YV. D. Hunt, who was at the time m England, was nominated to act as special New Zealand delegate on the Advisory Committee established in London for the purpose of inquiring fully into acting with the Imperial authorities in dealing with the question of the handling of wool bought by the Imperial Government. Mr Hunt, having now returned to New Zealand, was present at the meeting, and gave a valuable and exhaustive statement dealing with the whole situation, not only as it existed when he left England but as it is at the present day. This statement included full details of the stocks not only

of New Zealand and Australia, but also of South African and South. American wool known to be' in hand at the present time. Interesting particulars were given as to the proposals of the British Australian Realisation Association, formed for the purpose of handling and controlling the sales of the large stocks of Australian wool carried over by the Imperial authorities, and in this Mr Hunt was able to give the meeting information regarding the discussons he had had with members of the British-Australian Association. It was realised that in attempting to unload these accumulated stocks of wool in any quantity, and at whateyer price would be obtainable, would have a disastrous effect upon current market values. This effect would not only be injurious to the growers but would not be likely, in the long run, to be of any benefit to the consumers. It was obvious that large carried-over stocks had to be firmly held by some organisation, either a British Government department or some other stable and solid body, which would handle the business with full regard to the interests of the wool growers. A lengthy discussion took place, during which it was pointed out from press statements and also for private information that it was obviou3 that a strong movement for Government economy in administration was in progress in England. There was a grave risk that the Ministry of Munitions, which handled the wool business for the Imperial Government, might be closed down, and further that the pressure of public opinion might bring about a risk of attempts being made to realise the accumulated stocks at a sacrifice. Ihe question of whether it would be possible to utilise the British and Australian Wool Realisation Association for the pur poses of New Zealand carried-over wools in the event of the Imperial authorities finding it necessary to make a change in the control of its wool stocks, was very fully discussed, and the meeting decided to wait upon the Prime Minister. This was accordingly done and the situation generally was fully discussed, the Prime Minister promising to cable the Imperial_ authorities in London with a view to obtaining the necessary information. As a result of a discussion on the market conditions generally the meeting passed a resolution on the following lines: ‘ That by reason of the fact that arrangements are pending which if brought to fruition will ensure that the market will. not be demoralised by a sudden realisation of surplus stocks and result in current clips obtaining the first consideration, this conference of” the Board of Agriculture and the Producers’ Committee is of opinion that as soon as these arrangements are completed, and their effect generally understood, the result will be that a feeling of confidence that does not now exist will be restored in the wool industry. This conference thinks, therefore, that there is no need for vendors to sacrifice their wools, as however satisfaotory prices are forthcoming for the finer qualities it would appear that growers of these qualities have nothing to gain by withholding them from the market. . In addition to the discussion on wool the general position of the meat export trade was dealt with. A discussion took place upon the terms of the proposed shipping contract and bill of lading for the purposes of th° meat export trade after Government control of refrigerated shipping space ceases. In this connection the great advantage of co-operation between the meat and dairy interests was stressed. . Steps were taken with a view to endeavouring to bring about arrangements under which representatives of ihe Producers’ Committee and the New Zealand Dairy Association would come together to discuss a joint line of action. In regard to these matters a resolution was passed requesting the New Zealand Government to communicate with the Imperial authorities upon the question of the existing control of prices of imported meat in Great Britain, and to express the opinion of the meeting that failing the removal of all control the maximum prioc-s now existing for lamb and light wether mutton be adjusted so as to place New Zealand meat in a more equitable position as regards selling values when compared with Homegrown meat