The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1908. THE SYDNEY WOOL CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2252, 25 July 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1908. THE SYDNEY WOOL CONFERENCE.

After spending two days 'in discussion tho conference of interstate wool-selling firms assembled in Sydney came to a decision of,great import to all colonial wool-growers by agreeing to certain resolutions in regard to tho regulation of offerings. It has been decided, for instance, that the secretaries of tho various associations keep in touch with each other throughout tho selling season, with a view to adjustment of catalogues, and that on the last Friday in October the chairmen-of the associations meet in Melbourne for the purpose of arranging as far as may be practicable what the offerings shall be during each week. In reference to this discussion, the “Sydney Morning Herald” says:—"W’e can only say of this that it is a- beginning in the right direction, and it is something to have even • a beginning. Tho resolutions at least affirm the desirability of regulation as a working principle, and this is a considerable advanco when wo reilect that up till recently not a few soiling houses declined to allow that the principle had anything to recommend it. That many of theso former opponents have evidently now come round to the view eo clearly indicated as the correct one by the hard logic of recent trading facts, encourages tho hope that there will bo heitrtier and moro widespread co-operation in effecting the necessary change of system. It could havo been wished that a better defined working plan had been evolved; but it is easy to understand that many very real difficulties presented themselves when it became a matter of getting down to practical details. In our advocacy of the principle which this important conference has now seen fit to endorse, it was nevor assumed that thore would not be difficulties—difficulties arising out of the inequality of storage acccommodation possessed by different firms, difficulties arising out of tho particular local interests of the smaller market centres, difficulties again ns'between the Australian markets in general and the market in London — but we havo contended that no ono of these difficulties was sufficiently serious to stand in the way of reform. ".Just how far tho labors of the conforonce havo been availing will be seen by tho actual measuro of regulation effected by the somewhat loose method determined upon. We may ho satisfied, however, that if any real chcck is administered to haphazard selling during the ensuing season, tho experience obtained will be valuable in shaping the policy for subsequent seasons. The object in view being to keep the market under better control in tho interests primarily of tlio grower, the selling firms who are co-operating in ment may well expect the most loyal and ungrudging support from the growers as a body. It is in the power of tho growers to help the selling firms within tho respective associations to establish the new system upon. a solid and enduring basis; just as it is in their power, cither by failing t 0 support these firms, or by passing over the Australian market for London, to render effort fruitless. It should be remembered- that a general system of sale regulation will probably involve, in the beginning at least, some embarrassment to a proportion of tho associated firms. If, however, they are prepared to submit to immediate ; ncouveniencc, and perhaps loss to themselves a 6 individual firms, in order that tho ultimate general interests of tho Australian wool trade may bo effectually conserved, it is not too m-uoli to ask that growers also shall subordinate something to tho larger view. For after all at is the growers’ ultimate interests which are at stake.”

Tho soundness of the points made by our contemporary is beyond doubt, and dt is to be hoped that New Zealanders will very shortly take some steps to deal with the important question of .regulating the offerings of our own clip.