The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1914. THE WOOL TRADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 90, 7 April 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1914. THE WOOL TRADE.

Dealing with the Colonial wool trade at the end of February, a special writer in "The Financier" remarked that the market was travelling at a very fast rate and what the ultimate outcome was to bo no one could then say. Many have- asked from what source the inspiration for such a strong upward movement of values came. The reply given is that it comes from an absence of stocks of raw material, particularly in crossbreds. A very divided opinion seema to obtain in the trade as to how Bradford importing topmakers are situated in regard to merinos. Some say they are all sold; others make out that they do not want to sell any more, although if keenly pressed by old customers they are still prepared to do so. The burden of everyone's cry seems to ho a shortage of wool, and Bradford importing topmakers seems at last to have woke up to the position they occupy. At the time the mails left London crossbred wools bad witnessed a further upward turn, and there is the fact that they were then about at the highest point touched last year. Discussing the very vital point: "Are values now safe?" the "Financier" writer says: "Ever since the beginning of the year I have called attention to the j expanding business being done with 'America—that great Continent possessing a market whose possibilities it is difficult to over-estimate. Of course, some say that the United States will j not require a yard more stuff to clothe its population than it lias done previously, but that view 1 cannot endorse. I say that free wool and lower duties on tops, yarns and piece goods mean that one million people are going to be clothed in better quality material than formerly, and that i.= going to make a groat difference to the wool mid of the trade. T certainly think that the time has now amrsd when it is policy for consumers everywhere to

look upon tilings a little more calmly, and, if possible, call for a halt. . . 1 am certain that even growers do not want a boom and a slump, a steady, continuous trade with firm prices being infinitely better than a big spurt followed by sagging markets and values, i have maintained all along that the point to watch was America."