WOOL.—OUR GREAT STAPLE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5427, 19 August 1878, Page 3

WOOL.—OUR GREAT STAPLE.

Mr. Moncktou Synnot, of Melbourne, has circulated the following interesting paper ou the above subject : For soma years past it has been my firm belief that the production of wool iu the world had increased to such an extent that it had come at last to equal if not to exceed the demand. In order to prove this belief to bo correct I had been getting together such information ugon the subject as was procurable here on the spot, when circumstances obliged me to lay this work altogether aside ; but a recent event has induced mo to write a few linos on the subject, and crave apace in your columns for the same. Figures as a rule are not interesting, nor are they reliable ; consequently it would serve no purpose to say so many pounds weight of wjol had been imported into England in 1837 and ao many more in 1877, but in the former year, of the vast quantity of foreign wool sent to England a very little indeed came from the south of the equator. It may, however, answer the purpose I have in view to say, that during those forty years every continent, as also every considerable island in the southern hemisphere, “ has, as one may say,” sprung into existence as a wool growing country. There is no considerable spot south of tho equator only a fow degrees, of which this is not only an absolute fact, but those continents and islands are better adapted for the growth of wool than for any other thing. So far as Australia is concerned, it is the great mainstay of her prosperity, the pioneer and origin of every other industry. Each and everyone of those countries has the capacity for producing immensely greater quantities of wool than has yet been done, not only from great areas still unused, but also from that already grazed not sustaining- one tithe of the sheep it will have to support by-and-bye. Within the above period of forty years, while tho quantity of wool has so increased, there has been no new out’et at all comme -isnrato opened; no people or nation not previously using it have adopted woollen clothing into common use; though the wealthy few in some countries may have done so, they are an infinitessimal fraction of the population in every such case. There is now, as formerly, no wool wearing people outside of Europe aud her colonies. That it has come to be used in many new ways within that period is true; but it is equally true its use is confined to nearly the old limits of locality. To prove my proposition that production has equalled demand, and will soon be in great excess, I would submit that for years past at the wool sales the quantity offered has invariably been greatly over what could be sold without loss, and so many interests being involved has resulted in the system of withdrawing ever-increasing quantities from each series, to be only added to the next, making it more apparent, year by year, that production proceeds more rapidly than necessity demands. In short, the requirements of the old countries have reached their maximum, or nearly, and soon to grow wool profitably we must find new markets. This, of course, is only my opinion, drawn from such facts as have come in my way, seen from my own point of view, and valuable exactly for whatever it may be considered worth. The great masses of the world’s population dwell iu Asia, and it has long been my firm belief that among the Asiatics we must seek for a new market for our great staple. It is our great staple pre-eminently ! Without sheep the interior of our great continent would ever remain a howling wilderness. Sheep are the true pioneers to open Australia and prepare it for whatever industry may follow. The event which induces me to trouble you with this letter was the arrival in Melbourne recently of the Japanese Government Commissioners. These gentlemen came to Australia to make arrangements for tho future regular purchase of wool at our auction sales (their Government intending to manufacture the clothing of their army, police, &c.), to see the country, and to take back some sheep. This latter object need not create much uneasiness, though the intention at present is to grow sufficient wool for the purpose ; but enough is known of the climate and flora of Japan to enable ns to understand how unstated both are to the proper development of the merino ; other varieties of sheep may answer well enough, but the merino never will. The objects of, ihe commissioners’ visit were as stated above, and Mr. Yokoyama, their chief, being a practical business man, speaking and writing English fluently, seemed perfectly capable of carrying out the instructions of his Government efficiently. I laid before him specimens of woollen yarns from the Eallarat and Castlemaino woollen factories, ’ which he took away; but ho told me at the same time they were quite outside his instructions ; he would, however, give them, as well as any others which might be sent to his care, to some native weavers, and he would undertake to have them thoroughly experimented with, and samples of the result returned. He also said no opposition need be feared from his Government to any private enterprise' having for its object the introduction of our wool among ihe people; t and he, in his private capacity, would do all he possibly could to make such experiments successful. I feel still,* as I have always, that to bring our wools into general use, either in China or Japan, it is necessary we introduce it as a yarn u in the first experi ments.” When familiar with it, we may expect them to take it as it comes off the sheep’s back. My interview with Mr. Yokoyama has strengthened that opinion. The weaving of textile fabrics in those countries has always been carried on exclusively in the family circle, or by the aged and the youthful in small communities ; and the simplest way to familiarise them with the working of wool will be to give it free to weavers in small quantities. A few hundred pounds sterling judiciously laid out in this way, would probably hasten its general introduction into common use by many years of time ; and, as I have endeavored to point out, time to us is of vital importance to relieve the markets of Europe, now filled t® overflowing with our great staple. I am anxious to carry into Japan that which I commenced at Shanghai, and have already, some months ago, made a beginning. lam also in communication with other colonies to that end. Should anyone interested in the success of the experiment think proper to contribute towards it, I am ready to receive donations ; all such will be publicly acknowledged and duly accounted for. One or two gentlemen in various districts could collect more in a week than would be amply sufficient for the purpose. ‘ The last donation received was £lO from Evan Evans, Esq., of Koto, Kivcrina, towards tho Chinese experiments. The advent of these strangers upon their peculiar mission is not improbably the initiation of the new outlet so much needed, and most likely, when tho terrible famine now raging in the Chinese Empire shall be somewhat alleviated, tho now miserable . inhabitants may follow the lead of the Japanese. Wo must not. for one moment forget the.fact that this is entirely a Government experiment, with the design of clothing their soldiers, and not likely to spread among tho masses, nor oven tho tolerably well-to-do, without some little exertion on our part.—This letter was written and sent for publication to tbo loading Melbourne daily paper, with the object of drawing some little attention to tho recent visit of tho Japanese, who, while here, bought a large portion of the wool offered for sale during their stay; they have also chartered a-vessel to convey sheep from Sydney to add to their flocks originally imported into Japan from California. They travelled overland from Sydney to • Melbourne in order to see the country, and while hero made excellent use of their opportunity, inspecting every factory possible iu their Hrnitcd time. Why the local papers have almost ignored this official visit of the Japanese Government Commissioners passes my comprehension! Though they lived and travelled as private individuals, it was perfectly well known they came to these colonies on-a mission for their Government, th® successful establishment of which opens a prospect of an altogether new and great trade for all these colonies.— Monckton Syjwot Flinders wool warehouses, Flindera-lane east! August 0/1875,