PROSPECTS FOR PRODUCE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 4947, 23 September 1914, Page 3

PROSPECTS FOR PRODUCE.

i STOCK MARKET AND WOOL. During a war such as the present, when the financial ©onidtion of every country in the world is more or less seriously affected the farmers (and, for that matter ,all men vitally interested in the products of the land) are naturally somewhat anxious regarding the sale of their wool, meat, and other products. With a vew to obtaining a reliable opinion as to what effect the war is likely to have on the New Zealand farmer and the prospects of the coining season, a Hawke’s Bay reporter called on Mr J. G. Herdman (manager for Dalgety and Company., Ltd. “It is rather a little early,” said Mr Herdman, “to give an opinion. As far as stock and frozen meat is concerned, I think the farmers are going to have a good time, provided, of course, that the North Sea remains open. I think the prices for all classes of stock and dairy produce ought to be very good this season. As far as wool is concerned, it is hard to say exactly what is going to happen. I think it goes without saying that there will be a drop in the prices of wool as compared with those obtained last year, especially in the finer classes. The drop will, I think be much more emphasised in the merino and halfbreds. In the North Island there is practically no merino and the proportion of halfbred is very small. Even though there will ‘be a drop, I think all classes of wool will get payable x>rices, provided, of course ,t-hat the buyers from the different countries are able to make satisfactory arrangements with the bankers here. If they cannot make those arrangements they could not buy wool, but 1 do not anticipate that there will be any trouble of that description at all. It is impossible to say at the present juncture what will be done as regards holding wool sales. We shall proliaibly know in a few weeks’ time. 1 see the Australians bate not done anything regarding their sales yet, they have taken no action until things settle down a little more. Of course manufacturing on the Cont tinent will be much disorganised, and it is just a question as to how they are going to get their supplies there. It looks at the present time, as if America will be doing a good deal of the manfuacturing and therefore buying much more largely than usual. It is just possible that Germany may obtain their requirements through Holland. Then, again, there will prob. ably be a big demand for course wool, such as is suitable for soldiers' uniforms, etc. What the farmer will get for his frozen meat and stock ought quite to compensate for what he will lose in the prices of wool. 1 do not think thero is anything serious in the outlook at all so far as New Zealand is concerned. Tile greatest difficulty we shall have to contend with this season will bo the shipping facilities, particularly with regard to freezing space in boats. There are only a limited number of boats that have freezing accommodation, and a number of these have been taken for troopships. This would not he felt to the same extent with general cargo and wool. There is every indication of a splendid clip in Hawke’s Bay thsi year, and big handlings. The fanners are getting good percentages. There has been a larger death rate of breeding ewes this season than usual. But the percentage of lambs is very good, and there seems to be every prospect of a really good clip.”