ECONOMIC PRICE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20067, 13 October 1939, Page 8

ECONOMIC PRICE

MARKETING OF WOOL i SALE IN WAR-TIME GISBORNE PROPOSAL Price adjustments on a scientific and economic basis for the marketing of wool were urged by Mr. Francis Stafiord in a letter to the Poverty Bay A. and P. Association and read at yesterday’s meeting of the association’s general committee. Quoting a London cable message on August 31 stating that arrangements had been completed for the placing of the wool trade under Government control if necessary, probably on the plan operating from 191 G to 1920, Mr. Stafford suggested that it would be reasonable for New ZealarrfT'to fix prices for wool at, say, 12d to lGa per lb. for courits ranging from 34/3G’s to 48/50’s. During the commandeer period m the Great War, Mr. Stafford added, the woolgrower had a say in the price he received for his wool, and a fair price was received for his other produce. The B.A.W.R.A. scheme was even more Successful than the operation of the commandeer, and it liquidated three clips with profit and satisfaction to all. B.A.W.R.A. sold on a similar basis to that during the commandeer, the wooT being valued and no sales taking place below the fixed price. “That or a similar system is the only way to place the wool-grower on a sound foundation,” Mr. Stafford added. “The present method of selling lends itself to exploitation, and encourages the speculator and profiteer I would even say it is unscientific and stupid. “Until we have one selling authority and sell by agreement and value the wool, the industry will never be on a sound or economic basis. The only way out of this unreasonable position is to have a basic price for all counts and grades of wool.”