AUSTRALIAN WOOL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 19 November 1927, Page 12

AUSTRALIAN WOOL

LARGE FOREIGN PURCHASES The large purchases of wool which are being made by foreign buyers in Melbourne and elsewhere in Australia have again directed attention to the state of Great Britain’s trade in woollens The London correspondent of the Melbourne “Age” says; “Mail advice shows that manufacturers of woollen goods in the United Kingdom are actively engaged in an effort to increase their exports, and that to this end they have enlisted the help of the Federation of British Industries. The old methods of selling are being superseded, and as foreign buyers now prefer to deal direct with manufacturers rather than through merchants.' the federation is helping the manufacturer through a committee of the leading firms. “The plan is to supply special information regarding market conditions abroad, build up selling organisations. and make special inquiries lor individual firms. In this way it is hoped to be able to meet what is called fierce foreign competition, not anjy in home markets, but in those abroad, and if the plan is successful British purchases of wool in Australia will increase. Much, however depends on the potential purchasing power of the consumers in countries where an expansion is hoped to be made.

“The,latest delegation of the British Wool Textile Delegation, reporting on the position of wool and the wool textile industries, says that the principal features of the situation are a complete clearance of last season's clips; comparatively low stocks of wool in England and the United States; France fairly well supplied lor the moment in wool and tops, and Germany moderately covered, with machinery well supplied with orders. There are adequate offerings in the programme for primary markets. Manufacturers’ prospects are not too encouraging at the moment, at anv rate on current wool price basis. France and Italy are not enjoying the same prosperity as last year, and even Jess than 1925. Germany, on the other hand, is much improved. Conditions in trade in tops and -arns have become much better during 'he past nipe months, this being due in large measure to German demand. '