PRE-WAR SCENES AT WOOL SALES

Chronicle (Levin), 17 September 1946, Page 8

PRE-WAR SCENES AT WOOL SALES

(Special Correspdndent.)

PRICES RISE SUBSTANTIALLY LONDON AIJCTIONS BEGIN

Received Monday, 7.0 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 10. Compared with the level of priees when saies by the Joint Organisation ceased on Jnne 30 prior to the recommencement of regular auctions, reaiisations for New Zealand wools during tne first two days of the London saies show an increase of Ti to 10 per cent for greasy crossbreds, 10 to 15 per cent on scoured crossbreds, par to 10 per cent on hue slipe lanibs, 5 to 71 per cent 011 medium slipe lanibs, and 15 per cent 011 slipe sheep elothings and seconds. Forty-eight thousand bales of New Zealand wool, mostly scoured anu slipes, will be offered during the three weeks' series of saies whieh opened rn London this week. "Priees realised at the London saies indicate that there should be an auspicious opening to the new selliug season 111 New Zealand," said Mr. P. S. Arthur, nianager of Pnited Ivingdom-Dominions Wool Disposals Limited, when eommeniing 011 the results of the first two days of the London saies. " These priees, with those realised in October at Liverpool and Bradford, combined with the offerings. of Joint Organisation stocks in New Zealand between yepteniber aiui the beginning- of the new season m November, will provide a good test for the erossbred market." ALr. Arthur said the selection of New Zealand wool ofi'ered in London, whiie not by any means representative of the New Zealand elip, still provided an mdication of what might be expected at the New Zealand saies. The bulk of the New Zealand oft'erings already auctioned in London had brought relativelv hig-h priees dne to the urgent demand from various quarters for wools which couid be put straight into manufacture without further labour in processing. This was largeiy due to tne labour sliortages anu was likely to be transitory but lievertheless everytliing pointed to a level of values being est'anlislied in New Zealand which would provide a good but unextravagant return to growers. ' 1 1 was agreeably surprised with the condition in which Joint Organisation stocks opened up. There is little evictence of deterioration in spite of tne long storage period, although as was to be expected, there was some slight discolouration in New Zealand greasy crossbreds. 'Scoured and slipes were not discoloured, " he added. The scene at the London wool saies was busier tlian during times betore the war and standing room only is the fate of all but those buyers wlio li'ave seats reserved. The aisles and corridors are crammed with observers, assislants and spectators. The Coleman Street J-lxchange, vvliere the saies are being held, suffered severely from enemy actiou during the war and, as the cliairman of the committee of London wooi brokors, Mr. John Balme, pointed out when opening the saies, it still bears some honourable scars in spite of careful reconstruction work which made it usable again. Among the records losi was tlFe seating pian and the comniittce has now asked buyers attending tlie saies to establish a committee to ensure that the new arrangements are satisfactory. Vociferous bidding is alwaj-s a foature of wool saies and the two opening days of the London saies, has seen buyers in exceptionallv good voice. While buyers jump to their feet gesticulating wildly, the calmest person in tne room is the auetioneer who remains seated on the rostrum quietly sorting out the liids bawled from the clamouring tiers of buyers, and settling tliem with the tap of a pencil.