The Australian Wool Clip.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 108, 3 November 1897, Page 2

The Australian Wool Clip.

For months past it has been generally understood in wool circles, says the Argus, that in consequence of the late Bevere draught the present AuHtralian clip of wool would fall short of its predecessor. The amount of the deficiency was variously estimated from two to three months ago in reliable quarters at from 100,000 to 200.000 bales. This, on a total Australian clip (excluding New Zealand aDd Tasinanian) cf 1,450,000 bales, would amount to from 7 to 14 per cent. These estimates were, of course, based upon the best opinions as to the extent to which the poverty of the sheep left alive, the absence of those which wero believed to have died, were likely to diminish the total clip. The season is dow sufficiently advanced to make it possible to obtain more definite information, which, though still very partial and incomplete, is, at the same time a deep significance. With this end in view, we have obtained from a number of tbe most reliable sources particulars of clips which are now actually completed, and the number of bales of which are ascertained. After discussing at length the particulars so obtained, the writer goe« on to j say : — To sum up the position, a decrease of 15 per cent in New South Wales would give about 120,000 bales, one of 20 per cent in South Australia about 25,000 bales, and ena of 10 per cent in Victoria about 20,000 bales. This gives a total j for the three colonies of about 165,000 j bales. A decrease of 5 per cent on the Queensland dip would give another 10,000 bales, which would make a total of 175,000 bales for the four great wool* growing colonies. Goldsbrougb, Mort and Co. 's monthly wool circular has tbe following passage :— "It is to be feared that the shortage io the clip will prove greater than was anticipated. So far we have been able to aggregate clips which last year repre* sen ted over 30,000 bales, but show a reduction on the present shearing of fully 25 per cent. These are principally from New South Wales and Northern Victoria, and from widely-separated districts not selected in any way, but a simple comparison of clips, which are now complete, with the same brands last year. It is hard to realise tbe heavy shortage this foreshadows, for upon this basis tbe deficit from New South Wales alone would appear likely to exceed 200,000 bales ; yet there is no reason to suppose that tbe stations responsible for tba returns have been exceptionally no fortunate." Although the season has just commenced there is already still further evidence of a substantial decrease in tbe New South Wales cHd. The arrivals of wool in Sydney by rail from June lit to October 13tb were, this year, 126,774 bales, against 187,594 bales in 1895, tbe falling off amounting to 60,810 bales, or about one third. In addition to this wo have the records of the movement of New South Wales wool across the border into Victoria and South Australia and Queensland. These show that from Jnly Ist to the end of September last only 40,817 bales had crossed the border, against 56.792 bales in 1896, tbe falling off being 15,975. So that already the visible wool movements of New South Wales show a shortage of 76,000 bales.