LOST WOOL MARKET

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 108, 31 January 1935, Page 11

LOST WOOL MARKET

Germany Not Buying In New, Zealand MUTUAL TRADE NEEDED Leipzig- Merchant’s Comment Regret that no trade arrangement had been made between New Zealand, and Germany whereby the products of one country were exchanged for the goods of the other was expressed yesterday 'by Consul Ewald Schlundt, of Leipzig, Germany, who is at present in .Wellington. Mr. Schlundt is a wool merchant, and until last year was a fairly large buyer and importer of New Zealand wool, having his own buyer stationed in the Dominion. In an interview with a representative of “The Dominion” he pointed out that under existing circumstances and the new regulations in Germany any buying from this country was now impossible. Mr. Schlundt said that those interested in growing or selling wool in New Zealand must no doubt and ought to be aware that other wool-producing countries like the Argentine, South Africa, and to some extent Australia had come to some trade arrangement with Germany by which Germany took \ wool from these countries in exchange for goods delivered. The result was, for instance, in the Argentine, which produced ■wool very similar to New Zealand, wool sold much higher there than in New Zealand on account of German competition. Only a few days ago Mr. Schlundt received a cable from his firm in Leipzig advising him that crossbreds in the Argentine, compared with the same qualities of New Zealand wool, were bringing fully 15 to 20 per cent, higher than the prices ruling here. He added that it was regrettable that New Zealand could not see its way also to come to some similar arrangement with Germany as the other three countries he had mentioned, in order to have German competition again, which, without doubt, would help to improve wool prices and general competition. In support of his argument Mr. Schlundt mentioned that last season his own organisation had purchased 26,000 bales in New Zealand, but this season next to nothing. Mr. Schlundt is accompanied by Mrs. Schlundt, and for the past four weeks they have been touring in the North and South Islands, visiting most of die places of interest, including Rotorua, Wairakei, Waitomo Caves, Taupo. Bay of Islands, and National Park. They will leave Wellington by the Marama for Sydney to-morrow, and intend to spend two months in Australia before returning to Germany. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schlundt are delighted with the beautiful and variable scenery in New Zealand, and are convinced that this country would be overrun by tourists if it were not so far away from Europe. Mr. Schlundt was very impressed with the Waitomo Caves. They were, he said, absolutely unique, and he did not know of anything similar anywhere else in the world. The visitors are full of praise for the kindness and the great hospitality they have received from New Zealanders.