The Wool Market.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8140, 2 June 1906, Page 7

The Wool Market.

Strong Demand for all Descriptions of the Staple. Since we last reported auction sales have been held in Sydney on April 23rd and 2415b, when 2647 bales were offered to a very full attendance of buyers ; and in Brisbane on April 27th, when the muster of the trade was again large. Offerings in the latter market were 3680 bales. Favourable selling conditions prevailed in both centres, and practically the whole of the wool imbmitted was sold at prices which cannoS be otherwise than very satisfactory to owners. As in the short period preceding the busiest part of the boom season there has been no distinction made of late between the demand for one description and another, practically everything, good and otherwise, being in strong request. This exceedingly brisk "demand coming at the end of ibe busiest period in the history of the Australian sales ha 3 been a surprise to all interested in wool, as, although the statistical position had been regarded as particularly favourable, the actual resuits to sellers have been far better than ever the most sanguine could have anticipated. The substantial increase in the Australasian clip for- the paßt season, thanks to the great improvement in trade and improved purchasing power of the people, has pressed in no way heavily on the market, nor is the prospective further increase during the ensuing season likoly to cause any serious complications, as it must take aome lime before the supply can overtake the excellent demand, which appears to be strengthening with each month. Another matter for congratulation is the promptitude with which largo quantities from the centres of production have been absorbed as they have come to hand in Europe, due to the very light stocks both of the raw and manufactured article that were held at the beginning of the present year. The position, therefore, seems to be thoroughly favourable for selling interests, and it can bo said that prospects for future business on a sound basis, free from speculation, to the advantage of producers and consumers alike, have seldom or never been better.

PRESENT NEEDS OF MANUFACTURERS ' Our London correspondent writes that he recently discussed with the head of one of Yorkshire's first manufacturers various matters relating to worsted spinning and cloth making, when the conversation drifted to the varied qualities of colonial grown wools, and their special features and capacities for cloth manufacturing. " What special quality of wool are you in need of ?" was queried, to which the unexpected reply was, " 70's to 80's." This at once showed that the firm m question were engaged upon the production of some really high-elass-fabrics ; in fact, they have the name for producing some excellent cloths in which Australian wool figures conspicuously. That they were busy is proved by their large mill running overtime ; consequent!v their man was olf to London to get all he could at the sales which had commenced the same evening. This firm also produces some very large weights of army goods, having executed some large Japanese khaki orders last year and the year previous. In addition another branch is run as worsted spinning, the firm being large spinners of combed wools. More than ever the great principle was demonstra'ed in the course of conversation, that the colonies in producing a wide range of wools aro meeting the varied needs of the manufacturing world. Just as " variety is the spice of life," so it is a good thing that Nature has given us a variety of sheep, wjol being grown in varying degrees of fineness both in merinos and crossbreds. As long as tho world lasts we shall probably not have any further varieties of wool than as present, it being now possible to buy the same from as low as 24's up to 100's, though the bulk comes within the category of 40's to 70's. This is very satisfactory for many reasons, chief of which is the fact that the bulk of the world's trade is done in these qualities. WHY QUALITY IS WANTED. When a man sets out on the mission of wool buy ; ng the very first thing he has to do is to define a policy, and to settle in his own mind what quality of wool he wants. And here comes in the great principle of variety already refeired to. It is exceedingly advantageous that Australia furnishes what are essentially known as combing and clothing wools, the worsted people wanting the former and the woollen tvade the latter. The manufacturer referred to is naturally an ardent supporter of the clothing class of wool, as he wants above everything else a very fine quality, and with perhaps a good deal les3 length of staple than will the topmaker or worsted spinner. To-day we see Western Victorians selling up to 17d per lb, quality and condition being the two leading features of the wool. These present a pretty sight, and „are undoubtedly in prime favour. It is the clothing trade that wants above everything. else quality, and its users can afford to pay a longer price than can the topmaker or the worsted spinner.

COMBING WOOLS. In combing wools wo have undoubtedly a very useful article, and one wb'ch still enjoys by a long way the largest share of public support. It is as well that woolgrowers pay to-day more attention to she proper classing of their fleeces for market than what obtained 20 years ago; and a clip well-classed stands a much better chance of commanding a good price than ever it did. The principle of all sheep-owners making clothing wools is defended, and those fleeces which are shorter than the average, but finer in the hair, should be packed separately and sold aa " clothing." Thits really is the principle of wool classing, and it both injures somewhat clothing wools phen combing is packed, and prevents full justice being done to combing wools when short, fine clothing descriptions have been bailed together. Let woolclassers observe this point especially! and then they will do themselveu credit, and help to secure better returns for the owner. The wisdom of this seen in the clothing of a good flock often fetching more than even the combing, it being due entirely to the finer quality and the softer nature ot the staple. Combing wools are entirely supported by the worsted people, topmakers giving the greatest; support. Here length of stsnleisan indispensable characteristic, for it is practically impossible to comb and spin a short-stapled wool. It is

exactly here where. the foolishness comes in of Cape sheep farmers shearing every six months, the staple being too short to stand the combing operation. Combing wools go to an entirely different purpose than do clothing wools, and if the question was asked which are the best and most preferred, no man could positively say The only I reply thas can be given is that 'both I descriptions are good, both are required, 1 and both should be produced. The question may be asked, can clothing wools be used for combing purposes, and vice versa; and under certain conditions perhaps they could, but they both want to go to the special purposes for which they are best suited if the highest results are to be obtained. COMBING WOOLS FOR WORSTED GOODS. Combing wools will ever remain the j best adjpnet of the worsted industry, and they have taken on this name because of the second process they have to encounter in the programme of manu facture. 'Ihe first thing that greasy wools are done with when thev enter the mill is that of scouring, and then comes that of combing. Without going into any technicalities the principle is just the same as the combing out of long flowing hair. In woolcombing every fibre is combpd out straight and laid parallel with each other. All the short fibres are thrown out, and these are technically known as "noils." Growers will therefore see that the more uniform as to length wool is tiie better it is adapted for combing. In preparing a clip for market this feature should receive due attention, it being a bad policy to put wools of different length together.

A topmaker knows that there is such a thing as long " warp " tops, and also short " weft " tops, the former being known in the trade as •• super," and the lattfr spoken of as " ordinary," though in Ansttalia they are known as "super" and "common '60 s. Iq the production of the latter, picces, necks and bellies are often used, though if the two former are fairly long in staple and not stained they are often nsed in producing a super. As a man said recently, ' tops" are very much like sausages - the consumer never knows what they are made from, the whole beiog mixed together and retailed in as pleasant a form as possible. A spinner js the man who can tell what is in the top, and if it is " lean " and liaa no " bone "in it, it spins badly. There is yet nothing like a bit of good combing wool to produce a good spinning top, and practical men know what certain makers' combings will do. Some Bradford houses have got a name for their combings, jnst like certain Australian squatters have got for their wools, and it pays any man to build up a good name for his products. The fourth London series will open on July lOtbj fifth on September 25th, and sixth on November 27th.—Dalgety's Review, May 1. 1906.