The Wool Sales

Southland Times, Issue 11654, 7 February 1891, Page 3

The Wool Sales

TO THE EDITOR,

•Sir, — I Jo not usually notice every little cur that barks, but when other people's names are at stake I must take a stand. The correspondent " Wool Broker " in your evening contemporary, who has not the manliness to sigu his name, insinuates that a letter on the above subject in this morning's issue of your piper emanates from friends of mine who carry on business in Esk street. Now, this is a base falsehood, and 1 ask " Wool Grower " in British fair play to again write you and subscribe his address, and I sincerely hope that he will fall in with my request. What I told you about badly got up wools was in the general interest of the trade ; for we, as buyers, always allow plenty of discount for slovenly got up lines. In proof of my former assertions I refer to to-day's sale, and say that I am prepared to name broker, brand and lot, in at least one catalogue, and point out one or more bales of falsely packed wool. If " Wool Broker " has the courage of his convictions, or the pluck, apart from his convictions, he can meet me with as many of his friends as he likes and I will then disclose the names and take the consequences. That is, " Wool Broker," or any of his friends who may think they have a good action for libel can " go for me "if they like. In further support of my position I may relate what actually occurred at the previous Invercargill sales. I bought several lots in one of the smaller catalogues and in going over the wool after the sale found that one of the lots was falsely packed, and pointed the fact out to the broker. That gentleman at once cancelled the sale and asked me to make him an offer for the lot. This, however, I declined to do and it was afterwards sold privately to another buyer at lsd per lb. under my price at auction. In this case also lam prepared to give names if required. There are several other instances of the same evil practices which might be specified were it necessary, but what has been state.l is probably sufficient to convince even " Wool Broker " that it is possible for a buyer to point out trade abuses without having ulterior selfish ends in view. If " Wool Broker" has the pluck to accept my challenge he knows where to find me, and I invite him to come on quickly while the circumstances are fresh. — I am, &c,

Arthur McDonald Invercargill, 4th Feb., 1891.

[We have already explained the difficulty of getting any reply to above from "Wool Grower," and have vouched for the genuineness of his letter. We have now only to apologise to Mr McDonald for the delay that has occurred in getting his communication published, a delay that could not easily be avoided owing to the pressure of more urgent matter. — Ed.]