AUSTRALASIAN WOOL CLIP.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14699, 2 September 1915, Page 4

AUSTRALASIAN WOOL CLIP.

THE Australasian exports of wool during the statistical year ended June 30 amounted to 1,575,688 bales from Australia, and 532,014 bales from New Zealand, the former being a decrease of 390,888 bales, as compared with the preceding year, and the latter aii increase of 1127’bales. The "true position, however, is not as bad as these figures would lead one to suppose, states Dalgety’s annual review, because to arrive at the true production it is necessary to add the 66,000 odd bales of woo] absorbed by the woollen mills in Australia, an amount considerably in excess of last year, whilst it is-estimated that there was close on 200,000 bales more, on band in Australia than at June 30 last. The actual production of wool ‘ for the year in Australia can be set down at 1,840,088 bales, and in New Zealand as 680,609 bales, a total for Australasia of 2.431.297 bales, which makes the actual shortage in production, as compared with toe previous year. 217,983 bales. The 2.421.297 bales produced averaged 329;i1b in weight, so that fine actual wool output of 790,-w,8421b, which was produced from 100,477,132 sheep and lambs, gives the net return of 71b 7 l-3oz per head. This is a wonderfully good result, considering the unfavourable seasonal conditions in Australia, and could only have been obtained by t'ne sheep in New Zealand catting bulky fleeces. The past clip, from a buyerV standpoint, fell far short of its predecessor in growth and in manufacturing value, being shorter in the staple thinner, frequently tender and carrying considerably more dust than usual, the only redeeming features being dryness in condition and fineness of fibre. The 1.544,799 bales sold in Australia and New Zealand realised .£19,742,546, or £6,336,990 less than was obtained for t'ne 1,968,578 bales sold in these markets during the preceding year- The average value for all the wool sold in Australasia has been £12155. 7d per bale, so that, taking the total production as 2,421,297 bales, it will be seen that the value of the past year’s wool clip was £30,942,158, which compares with £32,001,324, the record which was established in 1913-14. The extremely high rates of freight, exchange and insurance "which have ruled throughout the year have; been all .against the pro- ’ duccr.- Tlie outlook- for wool / values,. Dalgety and Company :sav, is, fortunate-ly,-r particularly bright. The war has led to tho most unprecedented -demands on

the world’s wool supplies, which factor," i coupled- with the . revived trade, hasiorced prices fur all hut the most inferior .wools, to an extremely, payable level. The continuance of the war throughout the approaching winter in the Northern Hemisphere must lead to further expansion in the demand for army clothing, artu an increase of the present high level of wool values. There are practically no large stocks of wool in any country, with ,the exception of Great Britain, but on the contrary, in most cases, the most sparse supplies. Added to this is the certainty of a very great falling off in tlm production of woo! in the Commonwealth this season, which cannot fail to exercise a considerable effect on the market. It jwill thus be .Seen that matters in connection with wool values are favourable to producing interests, which should experi.cace particularly satisfactory returns for the reduced clip tnat will be marketed in the forthcoming season.