Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" Established 1890. TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1931. BRIGHTER WOOL PROSPECTS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 89, 24 March 1931, Page 4

Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" Established 1890. TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1931. BRIGHTER WOOL PROSPECTS

SIGNS of improvement in the wool market were discernible as far back as the close of the London sales early last month, Those signs have since been confirmed by results of Australian sales and sales held in the South Island of this Dominion, but emphatically endorsed by the Wellington and Wanganui sales. There se,ems every likelihood now of the improvement in the wool situation continuing at the coming Auckland sales, to the great benefit of the Dominion as a whole, but directly to the woolgrower himself. The high rate of exchange, or rather the high price of money in London required to meet Australian and New Zealand payments there, has had an important bearing on the improved situation. Wool has been and is being bought in the Dominion to be turned into cash on realisation in the centre where cash is wanted. But allowing for all this, it does seem as if the price of wool is now definitely on the up grade, because of a stronger demand for the raw material for legitimate manufacturing purposes, and that demand has unquestionably been stimulated by the low prices that have ruled for wool over a period far too long for the good of the growing side of the industry. The next London sales will be held at the end of April, and it is hoped that current rates will then not only be maintained but exceeded. Meanwhile it appears to be reasonable that growers should continue meeting the market. Holding back wool for higher prices is, no doubt, a sound businesslike policy in ordinary circumstances, but present circumstances of the Dominion are far from ordinary. Besides, the existence of any large quantity of unsold wool casts a deep shadow over the market, depressing values for the grower whose necessities compel him to sell at whatever prices may be going. It is a consummation greatly to be hoped for that by the end of June there shall not be an unsold bale of wool held in New Zealand. The matter largely rests with growers themselves. WAGES AND RENTS

THE suggestion of the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Leafier of the Opposition, that in an endeavour to reduce the cost of living some effort should be made to reduce rent charges, is one which the Government should not lose sight of, for the payment of rent is one of the most serious items of expenditure the worker has to face. The cost of foodstuffs and clothing is dropping from time to time, and if rents will follow suit there will be no question that no one will be any the worse off one reduced wages. MR. BLACK'S POSITION WHILE the country would be better off without party politics, so long as the party system remains, the loyalty of members on policy measures must be expected. Therefore the action taken regarding Mr. G. C. Black, M.P. for Motueka, has nothing extraordinary about it. in any case, if Mr. Fcrbes is going to take a strong stand in national affairs, he must, also take a strong stand in pru'ty affairs, and his insistence of discipline in the ranks of his organisation is only what could bo expected of him,