WOOL EMBARGO

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2675, 22 January 1916, Page 6

WOOL EMBARGO

AN ANOMALY STATEMENT BY A MINISTER, By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, January 21. The report of tlie wool sales ill London, published, oil Thursday, stated that buyers from the United States and the Continent were operating. In view of the prohibition against exports of wool from tlio :sominicn to the United States, representatives of tho. woollen, trade consider that the position ro> quires some explanation, and a state, ment on the subject was made this evening by the Minister of Munitions, An. announcement was made in Auckland a fortnight ago by Sir. Myers that in response to the request from the Imperial authorities the Goverumcut would refuse to grant licenses for the export of wool other than that already 'purchased to neutral or Allied countries, and that in future wool miglit be shipped to the United Kingdom. The general opinion in the woollen trade then was that if the prohibition had been applied to ensure' adequate supplies for military requirements, neither the producer nor broker could offer any reasonable objection. The question was raised whether the prohibition against the export from the Dominions would apply to American representatives in London.

Remarking on the cabled report Mi-. Perkins, chairman of the Auckland Woolbrokers' Association, said the trade had certainly been surprised to learn that American buyers were still permitted to .operato in" London. The view taken in the trade was'that if wool might be bought in London for export to America the same privilege should be extended to local markets. Tlio present condition was certainly calculated to encourage speculation. "I fully recognise the anomaly of the position," said Mr. Myers, when this view of the matter was placed before him. "Presumably the cabled report is correct in its statements," said Mr. Myers. "I would like •to observe, however, that the cable messages 'indicate that there Was comparatively yery little New Zealand wools catalogued for the sales, and that crossbreds, which are mostly required for military purposes, were extremely scarce. The Government has done everything possible consistent with its duty to the Imperial authorities, ' and, as Minister of Customs, I have granted permits for export of ro fewer than 53,000 'bales of wool to the United States. Our instructions are, however, definite. A cablegram has been dispatched to the Imperial authorities asking for advice as to their wishes, and until a reply is received no more licenses for shipment to the United States will be issued. As the cable message was dispatched several days ago it is anticipated that a reply will bo received at any moment, which will enable those interested in. the loealwool trade to decide upon definite courses of future action. It is interesting to observe, Mr. Myers added, that at the last sale in Christchurch, notwithstanding that American buyers did not operate,- the market showed a rising tendency, which indicates that the demand in the Home market is strong. Having regard to the fact that there is at the moment a shortage of shipping facilities, th 9 Government is anxious to clear up the present position. The matter is, however, entirely in the hands of the Imperial authorities. Exactly similar restrictions upon the export of all classes of. •wooLhave, I .understand, been imposed in Australia." '

Referring to the export of'pelts, the Minister stated that up to the present, though permits have to be obtained as for wool, all applications for export to approved consignees in ; the; _ United States has been favourably considered.