WOOL CLIP BOUGHT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1917, Page 1

WOOL CLIP BOUGHT.

PAST SEASON’S DEAL RE- . PEATED. SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS. A SIGNIFICANT ANNOUNCEMENT, Wbeunutox, July 25 An announcement was made to Parliament to-day. by the Prime Minister of the terms on which the Imperial Government will acquire the whole of next season’s New. Zealand wool clip in practically the same way as last season’s arrange-, ment. Mr Massey remarked that he hardly needed.to renfind members that last arrangement was on the whole,' satisfactory. It was just possible that tile Government might be able, in connection with some details, to make some improvement. He intended to take the advice of the Board of Agriculture whether it was necessary’ to convene a representative meeting of New Zealand woolgrowers to coftsider the offer. The communication he had received through the High .Commissioner from the Imperial authorities was very lengthy, but there was one significant paragraph he thought he ought to make public. It was as follows: — ‘Mn considering what should be a fair price for next'■clip, it is important to bear in mind that shipping facilities will-become increasingly inadequate To lift the clips, and, in any : case, : a considerable quantity of wool will almost certainly remain in Australasia until after the war. In. view of the increased probability that wool will not be shipped, the Imperial Government considers that the price of the. clip, should not exceed the price paid last year, but is prepared to pay for the whole clip on the level of 1916-17 prices, undertaking all risks of shipping and paying for the wool as last year, whether ships are available or not; continuing last y’ear’s arrangement whereby any 7 profit made from wool sold for other tiian military purposes is divided equally 7 between the Imperial Government and colonial Governments,* after administrative and other expenses have been met.” Mr Massey added that the arrangement for halving the additional price secured in open market for wool not needed for military purposes was part of last year’s system. Mr Witty: A pity it doesn’t apply to mutton. Mr Massey: Mutton is under a different heading. As a matter ol fact, the meat arrangements have, on the whole, worked very well. Mr Wilford asked if it would be possible to release, some of the lambs from cool storage for local consumption. Mr Massey’ replied that he had indicated that arrangements qould be made similar to those in Auckland, but he was informed by the Board of Trade that one Wellington firm of wholesale butchers was supplying retailers at as low a price as "could be secured under the Government’s arrangements.