WOOL PRICES AND THE COMMANDEER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 274, 15 August 1919, Page 8

WOOL PRICES AND THE COMMANDEER

Sir,—At a meeting of the Manawatu Farmers' Union I sec that the producers' wool was quoted at Is. Ud., and the retail Drico in shops 12s. per lb. Well, J. received Is. ili. per lb., top price, and the price in shops for knitted wool is hot 12s. per lb., but 17s. No wonder that Major Chappie, late M.P. for Tuapcka, more recently iI.P. for Stirlingshire, remarked: "New Zealand lias never had a; fair deal on tho Homo markets, and things were worse during the war." He saw 300 sheep sold at £'o per head, and tho London "limes" recorded wool beir.i sold at 63. per lb "Was New Zealand," asked Mr. Chappie, "getting anything approaching that fur its mutton ajyi wool?" lly opinion is that tho farmers in this country are being robbed, and advantage is being taken of their patriotio actions in underselline their produce in war time. AVe read a few days ago that the British Government had resumed rationing food, and in' conscquenco would loso making about 19 millions profits on produe© hold. Is this the Australasian wool and meat? As a-farmer, I v-ou d like to know when the surplus proiits are going to be distributed amongst us, 'J'iiis arrangement was part of tho deal when tho wool was coiifinaiidecij.-il.uiiC so far we have heard nothing about H. although a big sum has already been divided in Australia. The amount should be manv thuusands. and where is it, aiui wbo is looking after it? Uy (he limp tho commandeer is removed prices wu no doubt have failen.-l am. etc A I'AliMMv.