JAPANESE WOOL TRADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 191, 14 August 1931, Page 7

JAPANESE WOOL TRADE

RECORD AUSTRALIAN FIGURES Japanese wool purchasing operations in Australia during the past wool season eclipsed expectations. The shipments to that quarter from tho Commonwealth were a record, as the following figures show: —1927-28. 362.675 bales; 1928-29, 342,175 bales; 1929-30, 284.659 hales; 1930-31, 508.421 bales. Japan ranks second on the list of exports. Originally her pundinsing •vas practically confined to the Sydney market. From that centre in 1891 92 she took 300 bales. Throughout the career of her mills the quantity taken has varied to a considerable degree. The total taken from Sydney reached 10.727 bales in 1904-5, but during the following vear tho figure was onlv 4913 bales’ Tn 1912-13, however, it mounted to 25,223 bales. Tn tho opin ion of Winchcombe, Carson, Ltd., as expressed in their wool circular, the phenomenal supplies taken during the £onr just closed are not likely to prove a “flash in the pan.” Year after year Japan Ims been extending her manufacturing facilities, until to-day she is capable of producing the groat bulk the woollen manufactures she requi res. By customs duties her Government Ims given her mills a protection from outside competition, which has sent down her imports of fabrics to very small qualities. In tho first p’ace. she chiefly confined her purchasing in Aus tralia to local scoureds. Fo’lowing on that activity, her buying was chiefly the best greasy merino flee -c wools. As she gained experience in ’.nndling tho st; pie. her operations have extended in variety, and nowadays her purchases cmbrn« t all Has c - of greasv merino and (105‘hred fleece and skirtings ex cept the highest clhsm speciality lines and vo’v hurry carbonising sorts. Tn p.ddit’rn she takes a limited quantity nf ‘•’Ouicds. Climatically. h-T winter climate is a decided encourage.nenf to tho use of warm v oollen mitonnl’’. and it is rea sonahip to assume thr.t onco He various sections of her rommnnitr fools the eomf. r cf woollens in tho cold won ’her, they will re. readily return to their Go-time co>G’ and silk mixture eii'inr,; .Tnpin rar roach the half i’li »• l.n’ .s - ear mark, and in the year- to come si.»' will probably noe* 1 'argor supplies. Tn tho East she has nn enormous field to explore with her goods once the purchasing power of the masses I in that direction improves.