WOOL APPRAISING

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 22 (Supplement)

WOOL APPRAISING

FINANCIAL EFFECTS POSITION IN AUSTRALIA Messrs Winchcombe, Carson, Ltd., report that the appraisement of the Australian clip now proceeding in all marketing centres will afford great financial relief to the Commonwealth. No time has been lost in getting appraisements moving. Only a month elapsed between the purchase of the clip by the British Government and the submission of catalogues. In 1916, two months were found necessary before appraising could commence. The wool industry is in an assured position as far as the sale of its product is concerned. Its profits may not be great at the average price of approximately 13£d per lb, Australian currency, but provided costs are not allowed to rise and seasons are favourable, they will be better than in most years experienced since 192930. Growers are to secure a half share in the profits earned on wool used outside the United Kingdom. If these are realised they will provide welcome additional returns for sheepowners. Apart from its benefits to producers the control of Australian wool is a great contribution to the sinews of war for the Allied cause, continues the report. It is a tremendous disadvantage to Germany to be cut off from her main sources of supply for the sheep’s staple. In more or less sheltered civilian life, materials made from artificial fibres with a proportion of wool may at least be usable. But in the rigours of a military and naval campaign, good clothing is indispensable for the health of combatants and to obviate the necessity for constant renewals in uniform apparel. Germany 111-Equipped In 1914, Germany was well equippc«f with stocks of wool. She had imported in very large quantities and captured extensive supplies in France and Belgium quickly after the outbreak of war. Her tendency had been to restrict raw material imports of late years and she has not se-

cured any French, and Belgian supplies. The sheep is always a useful animal and particularly in war-time with the clothing, raw material and food it supplies. Cattle provide beef and hides for the manufacture of leather; but they only supply a hide once—when they are slaughtered. A sheep can supply wool season after season and the carcase is still available for food when slaughtering takes place. For that reason, the British Nation, with large flocks of sheep in its control has a most valuable equipment which is an important factor in the turn of the scales between victory and defeat.