THE WOOL SEASON

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 90, 9 November 1932, Page 5

THE WOOL SEASON

SHEARING IN THE WAIKATO PROSPECTS FOR THE MARKET LOW AVERAGE PREDICTED Hamilton, Nov. B.—Shearing operations are in full swing in the Waikato, and many shearers are engaged. The weather is favourable for the work, and with a prolific growth of feed in the past , few months the wool is in good , order. At the commencement of operations there was some uncer- , [tainty regarding the rates of pay, , as the old award covering the shearers had terminated, and the nfew rate of 17s 6d a hundred was in dispute. In many sheds the shearing was started and the question of wages left in abeyance until the Shearers’ Union had decided whether they would accept the new terms. Only dry sheep have so far been shorn, but in the back country, where bidi bidi is prevalent, sheep farmers are endeavouring to shear their wet ewe's as well. The prospects for wool are not very bright this season, according to a Hamilton pi an who is prominently connected with the sale of wool. He expressed the opinion to a Waikato Times representative to-day that it is doubtful whether the average price will be as good this year as at the opening of last reason. "Although a slight rise in wool values ;has occurred in the past few weeks, and the market is brighter, it would be unwise to be too optimistic as to the future.’’ he said, “There are; still large carry over stocks of crossbred wool and I think that a fair quantity of it will be submitted at the first wool gale of the season to be held in Auckland on December 2, It is considered fairly certain that the; catalogue for both the first and second sales will be limited.”