OUR COMMANDEERED WOOL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 17, 15 October 1919, Page 8

OUR COMMANDEERED WOOL

A HINT FOB THE GOVERNMENT. Sir.—Wo learn irom newspaper reports that" the Imperial Government has sold a lar"0 quantity of our commandeered wool to the Ame'rican and Japanese Governments at a shade over Sir James Allen's basic price of f1.65d. per 11)., plus 55 per cent., and that steamers arc at liiinil to remove it direct t6 America and Jauan. t, ji> j .Wo learn also from your Bradtord letter, which appeared in last Saturday's issue, that the values of scoured wool in open market in Coleman btreet. have risen'since July, 19H when our basic price was fixed, from 3-d. to Jwl. per lb. for superior merino; SOJo. to SGd. tier lb. for hnif-breu ; 30d. to 82(1. per 111. for three-quarter-bred .2J}d. to 5-Ja. »er lb. for crossbred; halt ot which difference. less about Cd. per lb. for„pos>wnr freight and shipping charges, was voluntarily assigned to the grower by the Home Government, to compensate liim for tli3 absurdly low price at winch our wool had been acquired. If the Home Government has sold this, as well as a previous large parcel, to the American .Government, wuliout competition and without profit, 1 am at n loss to understand how the growers half-share in its-realisation is to be assessed as I aon't for a moment insinuate. that the Imperial Government lull attempt, to go back upon its honourable and literal promise. It. remains for our Government, who has constituted itself the farmers agent, for the sale of all their produce, to see tlmt contracts and promises are respec - cd. and accounts properlv kept ot all transactions involving a departure lroni the original agreement. , - You are aware, Sir, that ,1 have alveiuly expressed itho opinion that it would grcatlv simplify the accounts it the Homo Government ww asked to repeat its original offer of 45 per cent, on the London pre-war price, or grant tlie same terms as were subsequently V l '; MulM to the owners of slipo wool o. oo per cent., less ljd. per lb. for fieiglit and pre-war charges. . I hold that it will not only be uVfiotno but almost impossible for the Home Government to render a correct account to the grower of his interest in the sale of wool not required for military; purpose,?. and seeing that it has risen so much in price, as quoted above, tliej can well afford to grant the extra 6d.„ or thereby, per lb., onginn ly offered, and cancel the gratuity of half-profit, to compensate for the mistake which was made hero in substituting Dominion for Loudon pre-war prices. Mv oesiro is to simplify accounts, Mid at tlift same time see that the Dominion gets tlie price offered for her exports, as we cannot afford to be lavish or dispense with a single penny wo can honestly claim. , 'Hie Imperial Government may have good and cogent reason for selling our wool to her Allies at pre-war prices, but if wo farmers have to pay double and treble pre war prices for kerosene and oilier American exports, I seo no reason why we should forfeit half the difference promised between the pre-war price ot Is. 23d. for ouv wool and its present selling price iu Boston of between is. and Bs. per lb. . . , , Mistakes of such magnitude cannot be overlooked; and. failing Government intervention. the representatives who .are nbont to proceed Home to inquire into other matters should be empowered or directed to attend to this also. Let our representatives take the hint. —T am etc.. ' SHEEmiUIEH. -p c; _']'he Wool Commissioner has admitted tjie mistake made on this side. | He is not responsible.