THE WOOL SEASON

Southland Times, Issue 18746, 4 December 1919, Page 5

THE WOOL SEASON

A LIGHT CLIP. There is grave apprehension at the present moment concerning the present season’s wool clip, which is showing a considerable falling off in weight and quantity, and which is giving every indication of a serious shortage (says Friday’s New. Zealanfl Times). It is estimated in some quarters that this will amount to something like a reduction of 10 per cent in the total output. The reason assigned for this shortage is an unfavourable autumn, and an even more unfavourable winter, the consequences being fleeces materially lighter. These conditions have been prevalent in the East Coast districts more than elsewhere, and the falling off is necessarily greater there. One farmer with whom we have discussed the matter says his average yield of wool is 70 bales, and this year it is barely 60. On some of the larger runs, the discrepancy is even greater, but it varies according to circumstances. At the same time, there has been a considerable mortality amongst cattle, as the result of a similar shortage of feed, and the losses on some stations are reported to be severe. At the present time, there is a drought throughout the northern part of Hawke’s Bay, and the outlook is not good. So far as wool is concerned, the quantity produced this year will be substantially less than last year, and as the commandeer does not end until June of the coining year the sheep-farmers will not benefit in the meantime by the higher prices that are now prevailing.