LONDON WOOL SALES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 167, 18 July 1939, Page 11

LONDON WOOL SALES

COMPETITION WELL SUSTAINED The Bank of New South Wales ha:; received the following cable me.ssag from its London office, dated July 14 London wool sales: Since the opening, prices for greasy Merinos have remained very firm. Crossbreds art from par to 5 per cent, cheaper. The Bank of New Zealand, Produce Department, has received the follow ing advice from its London office under date July 14: Compared with the opening of th>sales competition is well sustained, but extreme prices for crossbreds are no’, maintained. Current quotations for wools of

“The phenomenal increase in imports from the Dominions continues and consequently the struggle becomes daily more difficult. The economic policy followed by the group of nations comprising the British Empire is gradually gaining ground, particularly through the active campaign pursued by the Dominions. “For this reason, apart from necessary efforts to open up new markets, the Argentine can only fight with advantage by taking especial care of quality.” It is noted particularly that the report refers to the success of lhe economic policy followed by the Empire. Scientifically Proved—Wool is Better for Comfort. Further interesting results have now been obtained at Torridon in regard lo the related subject of the air permeability of wool and other fabrics when exposed lo moisture. It is a well-recognised fact that many textile fibres when nearing saturation begin to feel damp. Such fibres are usually those which are readily wetted with liquid water and their dampness is due to the affinity of their surface for water molecules. Wool, although it readily takes up much moisture, is difficult to wet and does not readily acquire a feeling of dampness, the moisture being actually absorbed into the substance of the fibre. The acknowledged property of wool underwear of absorbing perspiration without producing any feeling of dampness or claminess is due to this fact. Comfort in warm atmosphere, however, depends on the additional ability of a fabric to allow free passage of air even under conditions when the skin perspires and, in this connection, the recent Torridon experiments are of great interest. Wool and other fabrics, particularly those made of viscose staple fibre, were tested for air permeability before and after being placed on'a -damp surface for varying periods. Many fabrics, and notably viscose staple fibre, became completely impervious to air after very brief periods in contact with damp surfaces up to the maximum air pressure which the apparatus could ap'iJy. For example a viscose fabric with an initial air permeability of 1690 cubic r eet. a minute, after a period of only one sec. nd in contact with the damp surface, had its permeability so reduced as t.» be too small to measure. On the other hand, a grey wool flannel with an itial pevmeaability ol 126 was reduced to 120 aft?’’ 10 minutes. Free Exchange. “Free Exchange” is to he discussed al this month’s meeting cf th? Provincial Executive.

average condition: — per lb. per lb. Merino— d. d. Super, 60/64’s . 14 i to 15 Ordinary, 60/64’s .... Ill to 12i Inferior, 60/64’s 9 to 10 Halfbrccls— 56. 68 s Hi to 124 56's ...........-................. 11 to 12 50/56’s . .. 102 to 12 Crossbreds— 50’s . 10S to 12 48/50’s 11. to 121 ■16.48’s n to 12?, 44/46’s . .. ii to 12; 40/44’s 11 to 12'. 36/40’s 11 to 12, Chine (hindquarters) ... 83.3 16.7 81.1 19.9 Quarter (foreq’rs) 66.6 33.3 61.6 38.4 Shoulders .. 83.0 17.0 81.0 19.0 Breast 67.6 32.4 66.6 33.9 Scrag 64.4 35.6 62.2 37.8 Total of carcase (p.e.) 80.6 19.4 78.2 21.8