THE WOOL TRADE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19121, 16 September 1936, Page 13

THE WOOL TRADE

AUSTRALIAN REVIEW GOOD WOOLS IN DEMAND OTHER SORTS IRREGULAR SYDNEY, Sept. 5. Experiences of a year ago have been repeated with the first week’s Sydney wool sales of the season. The values ruling at opening auctions have not been consistently maintained. On Monday prices for good wools were 5 to per cent above the reduced figures ruling at closing June sales, and average to inferior lines displayed an advance of 7 h to 10 per cent. On that basis rates were on the average e'qual to the values ruling at the opening 1935 sales on September 2. On succeeding days the market for average to inferior ileeec and skirtings cased fully 5 per cent on opening figures with demand weak anil rates very irregular. Good to best types continued to realise practically unchanged prices. Japanese buyers attended the sales but did not bid. Yorkshire was the most active purchaser and her operations can be credited as the chief factor in creating a demand for good classes of the staple at the basis ruling. Germany was a noticeable competitor, her buying being in larger volume than last year. Italy purchased with fair freedom, and Belgian orders were experienced. Australian manufacturers also contributed to the bidding. France only bought to a limited degree, compared with her normal operations.

The easing in the inquiry for average to inferior wools is very regrettable. Apart from the lack of Japanese buying, Continental demand for faulty lines weakened. Tho futures Continental top market has declined Id during the week. unattractive; clips As a result of variation in seasonal conditions, some clips have realised prices in. the grease of Id, 2d, and in some cases 3d per lb. more than a year ago. 1 hat situation is most noticeaide in some far western wools. Due lo lack of feed, some 1935 clips from that area were very ill-grown, dusty, and unattractive. Good pasture this year lias produced well-grown wool of medium quality. The Quantambonc clip from Brownrrina supplies an example ol that result. In. early September, 1935, the fleece of it realised prices ranging from 11,}d to 15d, pieces lad, bellies 12;]d, compared with ligut'es

ranging from 14 id to 17-id for fleece, pieces and bellies 13 Jd 11 lis week. In some instances prices for north-west-eru and other wools grown on properties which have suffered very dry conditions have made much reduced greasy figures compared with a year ago. During the week 43.852 halos were offered, of which 78 per cent was sold at auction. The volume, of saleroom transactions is indicative of the irregular market for the faultier types. The, week’s sales averaged approximately 12.8 d per Hr., compared with 12.9 d for the first week’s auctions a year ago, but -sales made were larger last season. Owing to the number of faulty wools passed in this week, the average price does not provide normal accuracy as a market guide. OFFERINGS AT VARIOUS CENTRES The Sydney sales this week were the start of the current Australian selling season. Auctions have been held in Adelaide, and will be held in Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne this month, in Geelong on October 6, and' Albury October 15. Quantities estimated to be available for sale in the various states during the selling year are as follows:

Approximately half of the wool grown in Australia is produced 1 in New South Wales, which pastures 53.327,0C0 sheep, the total for the whole of the Commonwealth being 109-753,000. Owing to convenience of transport a large part of the New South Wales clip is marketed in selling centres other than Sydney, but chiefly in Melbourne, Albury, and Adelaide. Last season, the total quantity of the State’s supplies sold in those markets and also Geelong and Brisbane was 255,612 bales. JAPAN ANI) YORKSHIRE Though Japan bought increased' quantities of wool Inst season, Great, Britain’s exports of woollen fabrics and worsted yarns to that country showed an increase during the first half of t) lis year. The shipments of woollen fabrics to Japanese ports were 522,0C0 sq. yds., compared with 1935, 365,099 sq.’ yds., and ■ 1934, 278.C00 sq. vds. Worsted l fabrics < totalled 1,401,C00 sq. yds., the 1935 ' quantity being £OO.OOO sq. yds., and 1 1934, 659,000' sq. yds. The weight of • worsted yarns was 151,CC01b. compared i with 1935. 94,0C01b. and 1934, 390,03315. : It is a tribute lo the excellence of \orkshiro fabrics, that Japanese and' other merchants continue to import <> bulky quantities of English fabrics de- j spite the presence of substantial import f duties. The United States, France, and £ Germany, by way ftf example, are still n

fairly extensive hnycra of British' textiles. Australia is now well equipped 'with mills, but English exports of woollen fabrics to the Commonwealth from ; January to June last were 587,C00 sq. 1 yds., and worsted fabrics 235.0C0 sq. < yds. ; - 1

Sydney ... .1,176,000 bales Brisbane ... 425.000 bales Victoria ... 690.000 bales Adelaide ... 255.000 bales West Australia ... 170.000 bales Tasmania 44,000 bales 2,760.000 bales