SHEARERS WANTED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20283, 5 December 1935, Page 10

SHEARERS WANTED

SHORTAGE IN SOUTH CANTERBURY WEATHER ASSISTS WORK The warm weather of the last few days has been welcomed by sheep farmers, who have been able to push on with shearing operations. The first wool sale of the season will be held in Timaru in about two weeks’ time, and with a continuation of the present weather, it is expected that the total catalogue will be a big one. The sales already held in the North Island have revealed a very buoyant market, with prices well in advance of those ruling at the opening sales of last season. Certain classes of South Canterbury wool have always been eagerly sought after by Continental buyers, and last season increasing interest in the offerings at this centre was shown by Japanese buyers. If this interest is maintained, and present North Island prices continue, growers in South Canterbury should

have no cause for complaint when the first sale here comes off. A representative of “The Timaru Herald” yesterday ascertained that a number of growers have already completed shearing, but in some cases difficulty was experienced in securing shearers. In fact, it was stated fairly generally that shearers were hard to get. A statement was made that a number of shearers were employed on the Levels irrigation works, and that these men were disinclined to leave the works and go shearing, preferring, it was stated, to have steady employment. One farmer stated that it was unfortunate that sufficient shearers could not be procured at the present time, so that full advantage could be taken of the very favourable weather prevailing. He had no doubt that all shearing would be completed, but a delay due to lack of labour might be unfortunate, for there was no guarantee that the weather would hold.