THE WOOL CLIP

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 236, 24 June 1918, Page 6

THE WOOL CLIP

Sir,—Wo aT6 informed .that Dominion wool clips have been commandeered during the period of tlio war at prices current during the lj.ist two seasons,, subject to the adjustment of minor details. It is to be hoped the Acting , Premier will see that the index or basic value of greasy wool is assessed on the sau»-terms as those lately conceded to the owners of our slipe wools, viz., on tho average London values between the Ist January and 31st December, 1911,, less ljd. per fo- freight and other; shipping charges, instead of Dominion; value in January, 1914. I have alreadypointed out that those who eonsigued their 1913-14 clip to London for sale in tho usual way received a net .return of Is. ljd. per'lb., and over, for fleeces and pieces sold previous to the war, while the Dominion basic value upon which the 55 per cent, was computed, and upon which the last two seasons prices have been assessed, is in the vicinity of 9Jd. for fleeces and pieces, the' difference being tho handsome piofat which wool speculators made upon their purchases during that season. This last was tho average price for fleece.', and pieces and bellies offered for my parcel, which, as I have already stated,, realised Is. Ud. per lb. in London on. the July 15, 19H, the gross being from Is. ' s|d. to Is. 3d. for half, thrcijquarter, and crossbred, and WM. for bellies and pieces. lhc Dominion lias therefore lost the speculator's profit during the last two (seasons on the whole, clip, and as all other settlements appear to be made by, ttte Imperial Government on the basis ot: London average pro-war prices, instead, of'local prices, surely our greasy wool, is not to be made an exception to the. general rule, to the detriment of the New Zealand farmer, who of all primary producers , hae made greater patriotic sacrifices than any in the Britten dominions.-! am, etc., kGmQhL