LOCAL WOOL SALES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8338, 25 January 1913, Page 2

LOCAL WOOL SALES

SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS. A BUYER INTERVIEWED. Now that the January series of wool tales throughout the has (iteeii completed, some of the Continental buy el’s have secured sufficient .vool to satisfy their commissions, and are leaving tne field open to the remaining representatives of local and overseas firms. Among those who have mil bookings is M. Nopenaire, one of mo principal Continental representatives, who has been a familiar figure at New Zealand sales for some years, rrevioufl to his departure yesterday by Uo Warrimoo M. Nopenaire was asked by a ‘‘ Times ” representative whether bo had any opinion to express with regard to future local sales, or any suggestions to offer that would assist to popularise . the local marketing of wool. LOCAL SALES IMPROVING. Speaking from his own experience here, M. Nopenaire said that he had ■seen a great improvement in the local sales and the general marketing of wool during the past few yoars, and he was convinced that growers would find it to their advantage to adhere persistently to the practice of offering their clips on the spot. Now that local sales are being so well supported he is of the opinion that tho best interests of all concerned would be served if the Australian principle of valuation and islling were adopted in New Zealand. THE REASON WHY. M. Nopenaire explained the procedure followed at the large sales in Melbourne, which, briefly stated, is as follows: There, the catalogue for each weekly sale is limited to a maximum entry of 28,000 bales, and the sale is spread over three days, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week. On tho morning of each sale day the buy;rs examine the lots to be offered by ‘be brokers who are selling in the ifternoon from 3 to 5.30 p.in., and so nn for the remaining days of the sale. THE ADVANTAGES. The .advantageaof such procedure are ■.hat interest is sustained throughout ;iiio sale. For instance, a commission buyer having instructions to secure 1000 halos of a certain class of wool for his -lient very often gets what he wants tno first afternoon, and cables his principals to that effect. Where the sale is spread over three days buyers are 'in a position to deal with cabled instructions for the following day, if they Tire bought up to their limited qnan«,.ty the day before; whereas where all the wool is put up on the one day he stops bidding as soon as he has the specified quantity. Farmers would benefit by the adoption of the three days’ sale system for there would be more competition. SALE BY EXHAUSTION. Another disadvantage of putting up a large catalogue at one offering which was pointed out by M. Nopenaire is .that where the sale is protracted the buyers and auctioneer alike get too exhausted to perform their duties with the greatest degree of efficiency. Ho instanced the sale at Dunedin last Tuesday, when 28,000 bales were offered, which occupied no less than eighteen hours in the disposal. From 9 o’clock one morning till 3 o’clock the following morning buyers were kept on ■the benches, and . tho sale suffered .somewhat in consequence. Timarn sale followed the next day, and most of the buyers were too' exhausted from their 'previous exertions to do justice to their employers. Three hours on tho benches is sufficient for the majority of woolbuyers at one time, M. Nopenaire thinks. WORTHY OF A TRIAL. M. Nopenaire has been recommending to brokers the advantages of the Australian system, and several of their .representatives have expressed their willingness to give it a trial provided the practice is generally agreed upon. If, said M. Nopenaire, local sales are going to retain their popularity some improvement in the present system of selling will need to bo adopted. Farmers should continue to support local marketing, M. Nopenaire pointed out that not more than 20 per cent, at the outside of Australasian wool has been shipped this year. STAR LOTS CONDEMNED. One reason for delay at sales is tho making up of too many “ star ” lots, thinks M. Nopenaire. Four years ago he started a campaign against starlotting, and with the co-operation of other buyers their persistent representations have resulted in a distinct improvement in some centres. Next year they hope to see the inter-lotting principle extended to all sales. STEAMERS DIRECT TO FRANCE. M. Nopenaire is now ori his way to Europe, and while on the Continent ho hopes to succeed in making arrangements for a direct steamer service between New Zealand and the port of Dunkirk, France, during the wool season of next year, so as to save the expense and delay now occasioned by the wool having first to go to England. If successful all Continental buyers will give preference to the line of steamers calling at Dunkirk.