BAWRA’S DOOM.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1922, Page 4

BAWRA’S DOOM.

G ENERA L JUBILATI ON. “A NATURAL DEATH.” LONDON, Dec. S. The decision of Bawra’s shareholders to wind up the business is welcomed in wool circles, and by the Australian pastoral and financial companies which, are generally of opinion, that Bawra having fulfilled the functions for which it was formed, there is no use in maintaining it. One leading wool merchant said: “There is a feeling of relief in Bradford, where Bawra was regarded as r. monopoly favouring the growers rather than the interests of trade. Consequently, there was an unreasoning, perhaps unjustifiable, prejudice against Bawra : lint it is admitted that Bawra carried out the policy of limiting supplies according to the needs of trade in a most satisfactory and considerate manner.” ; Sir Arthur Goldfinch stated he was

personally glad of the shareholders' decision. “FAIRY TALES.” Under the headlines: “The Doom of Bawra.” “Sir John Higgins’s Fairy Tales,” the “Yorkshire Post” says:The decision was reached after the meeting had listened to the voice of the charmer, Sir John Higgins, who delivered another speech in which he firmly established his reputation for fantastic conceptions in the form of commercial fairy tales. Sir John Higgins and those acting with him l ave been compelled' to disclose what lias undoubtedly been the real mmivo behind all that they have done from the commencement They thought they would lie able to fix Ba-vra or a similar association permanently between the Australian woolbuyers and the woolbuyers and users, to ■ xcivise the function of regulating supplies and pi ices. ‘ The scheme which Sir lolin Higgins placed before the meeting causes c in* to review in severely sarcastic frame of mind some of the assurances given to the woolbuyers and users in the past two years about Bawra’s purpose being only to realise the carryover wool and the desire oi the directors to do that as speedily as possible. RRE-AY \R METHODS. "Those concerned in our wool trade and textile industries are thankful that the woolgrowcrs so pronouncedly voted in favour of the buying and selling of woo! being allowed to revert to prewar methods and to values being decided |, v i!,e ktw of supply and demand, uiiiniliieuced by artificial lectors, simli as an entirely unnecessary association acting as middleman and controller. Sir John Higgins’s siig-

gestions regarding reconditioning and appraisement make one wonder if he kiv.'vs anything at all of the wool tit ie and textile industries, however n'.'.ch he n.cy know of the business of v. olgrowing. ••SPK. IAI. PLICA DING.”

•i’ho “Yorkshire Observer” writes:— “One after another of the various s Jinnies for the control of the wool i! dustr.v have died a natural death, la .ause nobody except their promoter really wanted them. Now Hawra the last' phase oi' control, has heard i:, ; deatli knell. There has been no 'sympathy on this side for Sir John Higgins’ in his various attempts to make Bawra a permanent body. His special pleading lias become almost li dicrons to the observer. So far as l*ds country is concerned, it is doubt--1111 whether a dozen people could ho f un<l to support the continuance of hawra, and now Australia, which was regarded as Bawra's stronghold, has ’mistered a beggarly 15 supporters for e'r John Higgins out of 800. These .insures tend to confirm the idea that

i-ho agitation for the retention of Bawra originated with, and has been fostered by, speoiallydntercsted parties. There arc now under one million bales of wool in Bawra’s hands, viul when this is disposed of the asso•iation will quickly cease to exist. Everybody concerned, except Sir John 'l'ggius and his handful of supporters, vill welcome the day when pre-war methods of supply to manufacturers •Hid distribution will he restored free nd unfettered.”