The Wool Season.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1922, Page 1

The Wool Season.

V REVIEW OF THE POSITION WELLINGTON, April 8

The past wool season was somewhat unusual, as the sales began in May last, when practically two clips had to be marketed. Sales were abandoned in Ma r ch last year because prices were so very low. and there was an apparent lack of demand. After Mr M&bin had reported on the results of his conference with the chairman of 8.A.W.8-A., it was decided to resume the 6ales on the conditions suggested by B-A.W.R. A., which were that the offerings at the sales should lie restricted to the estimated consumptive demand, and that minimum reserve prices should be fixed, below which no vendor should be allowed to sell. The sales Svere resumed in Ma v last year and from the outset buyers were forced to realise that they were not going to get wool any cheaper than the reserve prices fixed This, together with a widening consumptive demand, caused an improvement in the position The point has now been reached when buyers realise that wool is worth buying, and the empty woo] lofts of manufacturers are again being filled The heavy accumulations that existed in New Zealand in May last have been practically cleared out, and B.A.W.R.A. stocks have been very substantially reduced. F> om .May to November last year the clip of 1920-21 was partly marketed, and from November onwards the remainder of that clip and the new season’s clip were marketed together, and buyers took both lots without distinction. The last clip from the Wellington district was well grown, bright, and of good staple, and was remarkably free from seed. Better attention was paid to skirting and classing, with very good results. In M a y last the average price for North Island wool was about Id, while at the close of the season 6d would represent the average price. The outlook for the next clip seems very good, for there is comparatively little carry over, and there i s every reason to believe that the demand will increase.