THE WOOL SITUATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16893, 25 November 1925, Page 7

THE WOOL SITUATION.

SOM E INT Hl’ EST’I NO SID HUG H TH. MR KETTLE’S IMPRESSIONS. (Spechd to fho Herald.) NAPIER, this day. Mr N. Kettle, of Napier, who returned homo last, night- after six months’ tour of the United Kingdom and America, had some interesting sidelights to throw 011 to the present wool situation, in so far as the stability or otherwise of the overseas markets were coneerned. Interviewed last night, Mr Kettle said that the position in Bradford was hardly one that could be referred to as buoyant. “1 was in Bradford in July last-,” he said, “and found everyone despondent as to the future. At that time the industry was in the throes of the textile strike. All the manufacturers had been, or were, losing money —millions of il— and thousands of mill hands were idle, as a strike of coal miners was also Inking place at the same time, and this naturally reflected itself upon the already hardly-hit woollen industry. It was very difficult .-it that period,” continued Mr Kettle, “to foreshadow anything as to future prospects, as everything depended on fresh business coming in as regards new orders for the manufactured article. Before 1 left London, however, a feeling of confidence was more or less restored. Especially was this so when arrangements were made for carrying on the coal mines under a guarantee of the British Government. There can he no doubt.” remarked Mr Kettle, “that but for (tie action of the Government in coming to the assistance of the mine owners there would have been disastrous strikes throughout the United Kingdom. As far as Bradford is concerned it seems that the position there is still somewhat doubtful.” Mr Kettle went on to say that while he was in the United States he was pleased to learn that the September wool sales in London had opened with a much firmer market, and better demand, and opined that the opening sale here should have been very gratifying to growers. He hoped 1-hot ns time went on the market would continue to firm. “While in the States,” went on MiKettle, “I visited Boston, the great wool centre of America, and received a very hearty reception from all the wool people there. However, 1 found them in a similar mood to our own friends in Bradford. They, too, were . suffering from a depressed market, lack of business. and a heavy fall in values. However, I am pleased to learn that sinco that time there lias been an upward move in their market. The same thing applies to Boston, however, as to Bradford. Much depends on the amount rf new orders for manufactured stuffs coming in. “While in Boston,” continued MiKettle, “I viewed large quantities of Hawke’s Bay wool, all sorted up for tho hammer, which is conducted by private sales there. These wools looked well classed. As 1 was very much impressed with their condition the Boston people admitted that it was the finest wool that they had seen for a long time past, and were loud in their praise of tlie Hawke’s Bay product. “We hear,” continued Mr Kettle, “a good deal regarding the difficult times at present obtaining in the Old Country, but on tho surface, at least, things seemed very bright, and everyone seemed to be looking prosperous and happy. T could not help feeling that now that a settlement lias been arrived at between the European Bowers, and now that Germany has ranged herself alongside of the other nations, we can look for steadier markets and better times.” Questioned as to the demand for New Zealand products in Great Britain, as apart from wool exports, Mr Kettle said that the public at Home were enthusiastice over the Dominion’s meat and dairyproduce. “While travelling through England,” ho said, “my experience was that the words ‘New Zealand’ were an absolute guarantee as to the quality of butter, cheese, and frozen meat that we send Home. Especially was this so in the case of butter, for which commodity everyone in the Old Country had a good word. Everyone I questioned on the subject had the same tiling to say, and that was ‘Let’s have more of it,’ and everywhere the cry was the same, ‘lf we could only get more of your New Zealand butter.’ “In Smithfield market, in London, and in other big meat depots of the provincial centres New Zealand mutton and lamb were displayed very prominently, and the indications were that our frozen meat was a much-prized commodity. It seemed to me,” concluded Mr Kettle, ‘that there existed an ample and clamorous market for the selling of our butter, cheese, and meat.” LONDON SALES. CROSSBREDS SLIGHTLY DEARER. (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z Cable Association.) (Received Nov. 25, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 21. The wool sales have opened, merino being fully firm and crossbreds slightly dearer in the later stages. The Bank of New Zealand advise receipt of the following cable from their London office: “Sales opened with moderate competition and a large attendance of buyers. Compared with the closo of last, series, merinos and fine crossbreds 4d higher, medium and coarse crossbreds if-d higher.”