YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 21 October 1913, Page 10

YORKSHIRE LETTER.

WOOL GROWING & MANUFACTURING. PAST AND PRESENT METHODS. (Mom Oil? Special Correspondents.) Bradford, September 12. There are very few members in tho wool trado to-dny who know that thero was a period in tho history of Great Britain ivhcn wool entering tho country was taxed. About 100 years ago a great agitation was begun in English ivoolgroiving cireles in order that a duty might bo placed upon tho "largo" importations of Australian and Capo wool. Wo have lattlv had tho privilege of looking over an old record which gives an account of the commotion that was made by the landed proprietors of Great Britain, who, to save the interests of their tenants, advocated in no unmeasured terms tho placing of a heavilyincreased duty upon imported wool from our colonies. At that timo our imports were a mere bagatelle compared with their present dimensions, but the serious fall in the price of English wool was said to bo due solely to tho heavy imports of fine woo! that were coming from Australia, tho Cape, Germany, and Spain. No doubt it had some effect ■ upon tho prico of domestic lleeces, and especially when tho general public was showing such a preference for the finehaired cloths which were made from tho merino wools then produced. Tho Ho'.iso of Lords in 1828 hold a special commission, and much evidence was given both for and against, but in the end the manufacturing element of the- West Riding along with thai of tho West of England triumphed, and the duties were not reinstated. Nevertheless, it is. well worth putting on record that there was a period in tho history of Great Britain when imported wools had to face n duty, but there is very little- doubt it will lmvo been tho last time in tho nation's history when such an indispensable commodity as raw wool will he taxed. 'The fact is remarkable that on tho Continent, where heavy duties have to bo borne by imported woollen and worsted fabrics, tho fleece of tho sheep is admitted free, and with tho application of the i'ree wool clause of tho American tariff, every nation on tho face of the globe, so far as wo know, that can manufacture wool will bo admitting the raw material free of duty. Wo give below ail official list of the duties chargeable on wool imported into Great Britain in the early years of tho last century Until July 5, 1803, free; from July o, 1803, to Juno 1, 1804, 6s. 3d. per cwt.; from Juno 1, 1804, to April 5, 1805, ss. lOd. per cwt.; from April 5, 1805j to May 10, 18GG, Ss. 11 8-iiod. per cwt.; from May 10, 1806, to July 5, 1809, (3s. 4 2-30 d. per cwt.; from July 5, 1809, to April 15, 1813, Gs. Bd. per cwt.; from April 15, 181.3, to July o, 1819, 7s. lid. per cwt.; from July 5, 1819, to October 10, 1819, Id. per lb. ; Wool from Wool frem British foreign possessions, countries. Per lb. I'cr lb. From bet.. 10,1819, to Jan. 5. 1823 .. Id. Gd. From Jan. 5, 1823, to Sept. 10, 1824 3d. 6d. From Sept. 10,1824, to Dec. 10, 1824 Id. 3d. From Dec. 10,1824, to July 6, 1825 Id. Id. ■ From July G, 1825 Free jd.* 4 0n wool not of the valuo of Is. per 'b., Id. per lb. on wool of the value of Is, per lb. and upwards.

Croat Changes In Wool Grown. • Tho class of raw material that is being grown to-day varies very considerably both in quality and character, old hands engaged in tho industry going so far as to assert that tho tradehas been revolutionised during tho past 30 years. Take, for instance, the production of crossbred wool. If wo go back into the 'eighties, very littlo indeed of this class of.raw material wa,a being produced, but to-day practically one-Sialf of the southern world's clip consists of crossbred wool, and to ail appearuuccs there is every prospect of this class of wool increasing in quantity. Even Australian pastoralists aro moro favourably impressed with the position of prices which aro to-day obtainable for "freezers" compared with the prices ruling for merino sheep, and with tho splitting lip of so many large and important stations, pastoralists aro to-day ablo to givo more attention to tho production of both carcass and fleece. Tho result is that cross-breeding is being more and more engaged in both in Australiaj New Zealand, . nnd South America. If wo look at the merino wools which aro being grown to-day, they vary considerably both in quality, length, and general appearance from what they did 25 to 30 years ago. Stations innumerable could le mentioned where the class of merino wool that is being grown to-day is altogether different from what it was in tho younger days of many, a present proprietor, simply because the needs of manufacturers have changed, and experience has proved that it pays better to grow a larger animal producing a somewhat less quality fleece than tho small, linehaired sheep of 25 to 30 years ago. Thero is no State in tho Commonwealth that has shown such a marked chango as South Australia., thanks very largely to tho stations in the Lower North district. Olio cannot overlook tho immenso influence which many of tho leading stations havo had upon the rank and filo clips of Australia, and we certainly think that Australian wool has not deteriorated in excellence, although its quality may be a little stronger to-day than formerly. Still, that has been more than compensated for. in other directions, and wo find ip-day practically tho whole of tho merino clips of Australia on a higher level than they ever were, because they aro meeting tho needs of manufacturers moro effectively and fully than ever before. Peints to Observe. The chief points which wool growers havo to observe is that they should produce a fleece showing a satisfactory quality, nice length of staple, sound and good "conditioned wool, if they carry out this programme they can. always rest assured-that there will be a good demand for their raw material, and though thoro is not' at present much prospect of any higher values, if today's level is maintained it will satisfy tho majority, for wool values aro undoubtedly on a level that pays well. The trade has always appreciated the characteristics wo have mentioned, and merino wool should bo of gopd quality, and certainly should not drop below GO's, otherwise many buyers will find fault, and say the wool is too "strong." Some of the South Australian clips aro a littlo'wanting in quality, but no doubt climate and pasturage favour tho production of tho deep-stapled merinos, and if they receive a trifle less per lb., that is moro than made up for by the extra weight of shorn fleece. Wo certainly think the outlook for merino wool is as bright as ever, and nothing seems to get along better than this article. Wo find that fine wool to-day is as much appreciated by spinners and manufacturers as ever. It is in strong demand, for with tho increase in the purchasing power of the multitude, they are all aliko disposed'to buy something nico and soft, which will meet their reqiiircmonts. Good wool is always at a market price, and although tho standard of valuo has at times varied considerably, thoro is nothing Whatever to indicate that an era of lower wool values is at hand, but tho reverse. The world's needs aro undoubtedly expanding, and ono regrets to learn and soo that the flocks of the Commonwealth sre not keeping pace with the increased requirements. This is ruther unlortuu-

ate, for with tho higher style of living, and tho increased requirements of tho populace, liioro wool is bound to ho wanted in order to meet existing and prospective needs. Business Still Limited. Tho tone of 'Change to-day has been fully as cheerful as it was last week, largely owing to tho development in t'iio American tariff question, and tho removal of tho uncertainty that tho Bill will not bo long bel'oro it is passed. It cannot bo said that there is any great increase of new business in any department, but prices all round are keeping linn at recent rates. Many members of tho trade aro turning their attention towards tho probable course of tho raw material in London when tho sales open, and it is generally expected that, v. J hen selling commences all prices will bo somewhere about last sales' rates. Tiiero is very little, doing in the jaw material in this market, largely in anticipation of tho coming auctions, and scarcely anyono had any good business to report in this direction. The top market is statiomry so far as prices are concerned, though in fwo descriptions there is rather more inquiry, nnd the question of prices is quito as difficult as it has been. Somo affirm ! that little figures t/re yet being taken for tops of G-i's quality, but as a general rulo tho price for a good article ranges around 2s. 'sd. Any forward business which' is being done is put through at Id. less than tho prices named. In tho cross-bred market business is slow, this applying to all qualities. Values are keeping steady at recent rates, the price of a good 40's prepared being around 15i|d. Seme buying of crossbred raw material has been done, tho purchases made by one or two houses being fairly large. The export yam trade still furnishes tho chief topic of complaint among spinners, and there is nothing cheaper to he reported from any Continental countrv. Tho inquiry is . small, and what offers are to hand are too low for general accept-once. Spinners of mixture yarns nre the best situated, and rather low prices have again been taken for wliito botany yarns.