HEART-TO-HEART TALK

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 65, 11 September 1924, Page 5

HEART-TO-HEART TALK

MEETING IN BRADFORD. OUR WOOL AND PRODUCE. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, September p. Wool growers and) spinners met for a heart-to-heart talk at Bradford at the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce. There was a representative attendance of Australians and New Zealanders, including Sir Thomas Mackenzie. In welcoming the guests. Mr Akyroyci said the spinners did not cihs’Te to dictate, but sought the co-opera-tion of the growers in meeting traders’ requirements. Mr Aykroyd opened a discussion on the deterioration of some New Zealand wool, as the result of the Romney cross producing coarse/hairs and lowering the value of finger fibres. Spinners were of opinion that Wensley Dale were the best ram s to meet New Zealand’s dual wool and meat neecfs, but several growers dissented. They claimed that better results were now accruing from Romnejs. Coming to Australian defects. Mr Aykroyd drew attention to the harmful results in recent years from the introduction of the Vermont strain. The conference considered marking sheep with tar, etc. The producers welcomed an announcement by Sir Henry Whitehead that experiments were proceeding with a new solution which it was believed would stand weather without damaging the wool. A representative of hat manufacturers mentioned the inability to buy Australian or Cape wool owing to the presence of tar, which experts were often unable to detect until the final, of sixteen processes through which a hat got had been reached. Mr Walter Andrews raised the question of wool packs.* Referring to merinos he said the Dominions produced wool of which they ought toi bo proud, out which was packed abominably. He suggested the track* might help growers by returning them the bags, which should bo systematised. Sir William Priestly complained that the wages of members and buriers amounted to fifty-one per cent, of the wages whereas thirty, years ago burling was not needed. He appealed to the producers to see that the wool was free of blemish. No man, hacj any right to send wool to lingland unless be had every' confidence in it. He explained that the present packing- produced jute faujts as well as burls, in the wool, causing considerable loss. Mr Andrews said he believed abusiness arrangement could) be reached whereby specially prepared bags could be returned to the producers and used several times, resulting in a saving of £IOO,OOO. A note of alarm was sounded regarding a world shortage of wool. Mr Harry Dawson urging an increase of stocks within the Empire, which presented great possibilities, notably South Africa and Wostralia.

THE EMPIRE’S INTERESTS. Sir Thomas MacKenzie (New Zealand) urged the conservation of trade within our own people. He said Britain was again taking the bulk of Denmark’s butter, although Henmark in war time diverted buttet to an enemy country. He emphasised amid cheers that New Zealand never gave Britain preference under duress, always voluntarily. Mr Dawson claimed that the thirty-two days sight draft was virtually equivalent to thirty per centum per amjum, while ninty days drafts were equivalent to an export tax of 3f to 3J per cent, in the case of New Zealand. Alluding to* the anxiety regarding the proposed action of Mr. S. M. Bruce (Premier of Australia), he said a serious aspect was «ie bank's intimating in connection with the issue of the credits that it was optional for the banks to negotiate bills thereunder. Mr. Walter Andrews urged Australia to adopt packs made of wool instead of fibre. The latter caused £500,000 damage annually, while the woollen pack cost less. Buyers would be prepared to pay half the cost thereof. , . .... Mr Dawson spoke of the need: toi arresting the shrinkage in wood production. which at present was a million hales below needs. Speakers emphasised the tragedy of the Argentine supplanting Australasia and Africa. Mr Fairbairn. summing up. the exchange was due to the shortage of banking facilities.