INCREASE IN PRICE OF WOOL

Southland Times, Issue 24761, 4 June 1942, Page 3

INCREASE IN PRICE OF WOOL

SHEEPOWjNER’S COMMENT (Special) DUNEDIN, June 3. In his presidential address at the annual meeting of the Otago and Southland Sheepowners’ Industrial Union of Employers today, Mr James Begg stated that the 15 per cent, increase in the price of wool would be very welcome to sheep farmers, especially to those on the high country.. It should be generally known that the price paid this year by the British Government was only 9’/ 2 d sterling per lb compared with 15'/ 2 d in the last war 26 years ago. Costs had risen enormously since then, and the price Britain would now pay for wool was still a very moderate one.” If we in this country foolishly allow costs to rise still further we have no justification for expecting higher prices from Britain,” Mr Begg added. "Shipping improved beyond all expectations in the first five months of this season, with the result that there is less meat in the cold stores than at this time last year. The future of shipping is quite uncertain, but the position is much better than we had any reason to expect. The following officers were elected: President, Mr James Begg; vice-president, Mr W. T. McKellar; committee, Messrs J. Andrew, J. C. Begg, F. D. Bell, A. H. Chapman, jun., D. H. Cockburn, D. Finlayson, J. S. Hazlett, A. S. Holms, Dickson Jardine, G. M. Love, W. J. A. McGregor, John Mackenzie, Peter McKenzie, J. McK. Morgan, D. Marshall, A. McKinnon, A. C. Nichols,' W. J. Reid, James A. Roberts, John M. Rose, W. A. Scaife, Alan F. Speight and W. S. Thompson,' secretary and treasurer, Mr A. S. Cookstm. STOCK YARDINGS AT LORNEVILLE During the last few years the numbers of stock offered for sale at the Lomeville saleyards has increased steadily and the trend towards centralized marketing of stock has been only slightly retarded by the war. The central market continues to handle very large numbers of sheep and cattle in spite of petrol restrictions making it more difficult for stock to be sent long distances. Returns of the Invercargill Saleyards Company for the year 1941-42 show that the total stock put through the yards was greater than in the preceding year, but prewar returns were higher. Details of the entries in the various sections were as follows, figures for last year being given in parentheses:—Fat cattle, 6639 (7028) including 342 (208) vealers; store cattle, 7293 (6448), including 1190 (1095) dairy cows; fat sheep, 57,189 (47.338) including 7691 (4397) fat lambs; store sheep, 88,282 (89,057); total, 13,932 (13,476) cattle; 145,471 (136,395) sheep. At the annual meeting of the company, the yardman (Mr W. Taylor) stated that for the last two years store sheep had come forward at every sale. He was still of the opinion that the yards would provide the leading market for store sheep if the accommodation were supplied. He suggested that a comprehensive plan,of expansion be drawn up so that it might be carried out as funds permitted, instead of having pens built in a temporary and haphazard manner. Messrs R. D. Newth and James Price were re-elected directors and Mr A. S. Ronald was reappointed chairman of directors. ADDINGTON MARKET (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 3. Entries at the Addington market today were larger in most sections. Fat sheep maintained last week’s improved prices, but fat cattle were easier. Fat pigs were firmer and other sections were from par to a shade firmer. Of a small yarding of store lambs two pens of ewes realized 16/10 and 23/- respectively. Others of medium quality ranged from 13/11 to 19/3. Romney cross ewes sold well, six-tooths bringing 28/6 and 27/3. The best price for local sheep was 22/6 for a pen of four-year-olds. In the wether section one line realized 26/2. Poor quality sold from 9/8 to 18/6. Fat sheep prices were about the level of last week’s advance of from 2/- to 3/- a head and altered very little as the market progressed. Best wethers range from 31/to 35/-, with odd pens up to 38/-. A truck of good ewes from the south averaged more than 28/-. The average was 19/- to 25/-. Good beef was easier by from 10/- to 15/a head and secondary by up to 15/-. The slacker market was due to an over-supply. Good beef made from 39/- to 41/6 per 1001 b, medium 35/6 to 37/6, unfinished steers 32/to 35/-, secondary and light 29/6 to 31/6, inferior cow beef to 26/-.