FRANCE AND THE WOOL TRADE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 51, 13 January 1872, Page 9

FRANCE AND THE WOOL TRADE.

Ihe following letter, published by a contempsrary, from a correspondent at Mayence, relates to the revival in the woollen manufacture of France and its probable influence on the Australian trade :—" An autumn tour through the north-eastern districts of France may be made with a two-fold object. There is much to interest those who desire to follow the course of the recent war, upon which abundant materials yet exist to show its marvellous character, and to illustrate the rapid manner in which a country can recover from misery and devastation. There is, however, a series of facts of peculiar importance to the wool-grower, for it is from these parts that new life has been given to that industry, the Australian staple having been in unusual demand : it has, consequently, largely increased its marketable value which must have important effects on English commerce. At Sedan and its neighborhood there are large woollen manufactories; but it is at Roubaix and Bheims that the Australian wools are mostly required. These towns are now in the utmost activity, the looms in full employment, and the workpeople in almost happy forgetfulness of their recent troubles. I stood, at their hour for dinner, in one of the most central positions of Sedan, and the squares and streets which twelve months since were crowded with soldiers weve now occupied by moving masses of men, women, and boys, emerging from every factory, rejoicing in their labor and their rest, getting their daily bread by honest industry ; and I was told they were rapidly paying off the debts incurred during theperiod of wasteful idleness. The same result I found in the other towns, where the industry of the people is being again developed. The inquiries into this great activity led to the following points of information:—l. There has been, on the part of the French manufacturer, a great scarcity of wool, necessarily because purchases ceased during the war, and the looms were out of occupation. 2. The return of peace has led to the almost immediate resumption of trade, and the consequent re-stocking of factories and warehouses. 3. There has, since the war, been a considerable change in the fabrics used for apparel.. The ladies have, to a great extent, instead of wearing silk, taken to woollen dresses of mixed materials in which wool is largely used ; and I daresay, if the subject were closely followed, other changes in dress, in material, and in fashion would be found to exist. 4. The French Government, in their financial requirements, have given some excitement to the trade. It was expected that the new tariff would impose an ad valorem duty as high as 20 per cent on the import of ' raw wool;' hence the dealer laid in heavily of stock. He has since found that the impost will not exceed 3 per cent; but although there may be more cautious buyers than was the case two or three months since, the wants of the trade are still heavy, as well for home purposes as the distant markets for fine French cloth, which include Cashmeres and almost all materials, except silks and cottons, in ladies' dresses. These are important present advantages to woof growers and importers. The great question to the Australian colonies, however, at their distance from the seats of consumption, is, will these results be continuous ? After recent experiences, both political and commercial, it would be most unwise to reckon confidently on anything, still less on prices, which are proverbially as 'unstable as the waters.' There are, however, some features known in France which may lead to sound conclusions. Eememberingthafc the argument is as to wools of long-staple, and suitable to • long-combing' purposes, it is asserted that the Australian article is, even at the recent prices, cheaper than the best German wool, the latter having declined, while the former has increased in value, the Australian wool being at all times preferred on account of its peculiarly valuable qualities. Even for mixing purposes it is found infinitely better, and has properties in which the German article is almost entirely deficient. The resumption of peace has developed another peculiarity of this industry. Without asserting that the French have lost the art of manufacture, it is well understood that fine woollen goods are being largely made in Sweden, in Russia, and in Austria. These countries now compete fur the Australian wools, those from Victoria being most in favor for ladies' materials, those from South Australia and Queensland for fabrics employed in men's garments, flannels, and the heavier articles of manufacture. The great depot is Belgium, and the station at Verviers is often crowded with wool for the countries in the north of Europe. The general conclusions I have made are, that the increase of price is sound, derived from a legitimate trade, and arising from an improved manufacture ; that other countries than France are now alive not only to the value but tha making first-class of woollen goods ; and that at present no country can distance the Australian colonies in the production of the raw material now in demand, not only in Europe but in America, where it is known that the manufacturers are keenly alive to the competition going forward in the wool markets of the world. The results of my observation are at your service, and they may, perhaps, have an interest not only in England but in Australia, where the wool-growers have long had a chequered career from bad seasons and low prices.—W. P."