REDUCED WOOL CLIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 9, 11 January 1946, Page 7

REDUCED WOOL CLIP

Practically all countries are producing less wool than three years ago, says a report from Winchcombe Carson. Ltd. Although this is a disadvantage from the viewpoint of present revenue, it is an advantage in regard to the disposal of accumulated war-time stocks. Excellent orders are now available for the sale of wool in Australia.

The same position applies to mill products. The prospective demand for tops, yarns and fabrics has never heen greater. Shortage of labour and transport is hindering its development. Less machinery is available to cope with business than before the war. Bombing has destroyed large numbers of mill plants in Europe and Japan. Once existing difficulties can be overcome and mills available for work should And an unprecedented demand for their products which will be reflected in bulky order's for the sheep’s staple. Stronger trading in wool is reported from South America. France has bought large quantities in Buenos Aires. World demand is gradually extending to its pre-war distribution. Some countries will require larger supplies than six years ago, Canada, India and Turkey being notable examples in that regard. DECLINK IN UNITED STATES The marked decline in American sheep flocks during recent years is giving considerable concern. Totals have decreased from 49,807,000 in 1942 to 41,315,000 this year, a reduction of 17 per cent. The figures are the lowest recorded since 1928. The falling off has not been caused by prolonged drought. United States sheep have continued to cut reasonably good weights. The average per head for 1945 is estimated to be 17.931 b and in favourable years it is only slightly above 81b. The chief cause of the drop is that production costs, which have moved (upward to a marked degree in the (States, have rendered sheep grazing less profitable. Stock in addition has been slaughtered in unusually | large numbers. A subsidy is now being given to both wool and lamb pioduction by the American Government in an effort to arrest the decline in the industry. The United States clip is 50 per cent merino and 50 per cent crossbred, practically all the latter being of medium to fine duality. The total clip, including the wool pulled from sheepskins, is I estimated to be the equivalent of i 1.310,000 bales, compared with 1,520,iOOO bales in 1942.