THE WOOL TRADE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20503, 22 August 1936, Page 15

THE WOOL TRADE

OUTLOOK CONSIDERED FAVOURABLE France and crossbreds Of late years France has been increasing her purchases of crossbred wool. That development may have been due to requirements for uniform purposes, but ability to enjoy export trade which she has lacked with Australia has contributed. The following figures show the exports made to France ih the periods mentioned from the countries quoted, which chiefly produce crossbred wools: July 1 to May 31. 1934-35 1935-36 New Zealand . 8.100.0001 b 35.600.001 b October 1 to May 28 Argentina .. 28,800,0001 b 48.000.0001 b October 1 to May 31 Uruguay . . . . 5.800,0001 b 6.600.0001 b France is not singular in the development of her buying elsewhere than in Australia. In the days when European countries Were able to sell large quantities of their manufactures to Australia bulky purchases of the Australian clip were assured season after season. but since imports into the Commonwealth from the Continent were reduced that position has altered. Most countries have adopted a policy restricting imports, but the majority of them are not in Australia’s situation, which necessitates the sale of large quantities of wool and other products to oversea buyers. African Exports As a result of Japan’s reported intention to buy at least 100,000 bales of wool in South Africa this season, it is of interest to note the shipments made from that country from July 1 to May 31 during the past season. Assuming that the weight per bale was approximately 3001 b, the following figures show the exports made:— France 211,000 bales United Kingdom 183,000 bales Germany .. .. 144,333 bales Belgium 72,000 bales United States . . 11,666 bales Italy 8,666 bales Other countries 57,666 bales The fact is worthy of note that the exports to Japan were not sufficiently large to be quoted. The South African clip is likely to show some increase this season, but the advent of Japanese buying in bulky quantities will cause other operators to purchase elsewhere, probably in Australia, as the Commonwealth and South Africa are the only quarters in which merinos can be obtained in any appreciable quantity.

German Exports

An improvement in Germany’s export trade in fabrics made from wool was recorded during the first five months of this year. The quantity exported was 5.086,0001 b, compared with 2,795,000 lb during the similar period of 1935. The exports of yarns were 7,010,0001 b, the total a year before being 2.656,000 lb. Tops, however, displayed a decrease. Reports indicate that a larger turnover was experienced in most mill establishments, the increased foreign sales of textiles being largely due to Government measures taken to stimulate exports. German imports of wool have shown a considerable decrease. The quantity of imported wool retained from January to May was 123.000,0001 b. the quantity twelve months before being 177,100.0001 b. Imports of tops and yarns were also decidedly less. As a result of the decreased quantities of wool, tops, and yams imported, substitute fibres were being utilised more freely and improvement was shown in the quality of the mixed goods produced. Government military and civil authorities* orders for goods have encouraged the use of substitute fibres. It is regrettable that German#. a country with 3436 wool-combing machines, the largest number in any country, and 87,540 looms, equipment of the latter being second in importance in the world, should find it necessary to utilise substitute fibres excessively, owing to inability to finance bulky wool imports. G. Hardt and Co., Berlin, in a report state that improvement has been recorded in all branches of the textile industry. Stocks of tops at the end of May reached the low level of 3.700,000 lb. The synthetic wool (Zellwolle) industry is growing daily, and German production is estimated to exceed 70.000 tons for 1937.