WOOL AND THE WAR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 181, 9 June 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

WOOL AND THE WAR.

Professor D. H. Leeds, of the University of Leeds, contributes to the March number of "Tho Political Quarterly" an articlo on " War and Supplies in Reference to Wool," iu which lie provides a good deal of information of interest to colonial producers. His article has been concisely summarised by the " Press." The writer, it says, goes fully into the whole of the wool supplies available, the steps tal.cn to ensure the quantity required by the British manufacturers, tho restriction of supplies to neutrals and prevention of wool reaching enemy countries, and the actions generally taken by tho Government to safeguard both supplies and manufacture. Regarding supplies, it is pointed out that of tho world's production of 3,000,000,0001b of sheep and lambs' wool, about 40 per cent, is grown within the British Empire. On the averago of the other years prior to the war, England was using about half the amount produced within tho Empire, so tliat resources could bo doubled, evnn if limited to the Empire. But the control of the seas renders foreign sources still available. The great producing areas for wool are the British Colonies and South America, and these have to meet most of the needs of Europe and tho United S+ates. The colonial production of wool :s nearly twice as large as that of South America. There goes to England about 40 per cent, of the Australian exports, over 90 per cent, from New Zealand, about 30 per cent, from the Cape and Natal, and practically all from the l'alkland Islands. Although tho colonies send to England 57 per cent, of what they export, tho whole of these supplies aro not usually consumed there, about one-third of the colonial supplies being re-e.\ported. About 90 per cent of the clip exported by India goes to England, but th-j wool is not of the same importance for clothing purposes. The South American wools went mainly to the Continent, England taking about 14 per cent, from the Argentine, only some three per cent, from Uruguay, but about B'J per cent, from Chili and Peru. The closure of Continental ports left most of these wools to find other markets. ; Tho distribution of the whole trade is connected with tho question of merino and crossbred wool, and England is in closest relations with the centres of production of crossbred, becauso her methods of manufacture favour tlii.; wool. This is an important consideration when war breaks out, because of the increased demand for the less fine and more durable material. In addition to the imports of wool there is the Home clip, which averaged 132,000,00011) for the three years before the war, of which there were 96.000,0001b retained, but in war the whole clip could be used. Dealing further with the distribution of supplies, Professor Macgregor says that with regard to tho colonies, the amount of export can be ascertained, and looking at details of Soinh American export? over a series of years it is plain that if France takes half of her usual supplies during the war (she has, in fact, taken less than that) there are left over 250,000,0001b which are excluded from the Continent. That is niuc'-i more tlir.n he United States •an absorb, even with considerable war activity in her mills. She usually takes 2G,000,0001b from that source, and less than 90.000,000!b from the United Kingdom and the colonies. In fact, the United States has taken 60,000,0001b more she© October, and England has g n 25,000.0001b more. Where the rest has gono the following tablo will explain:—

It is interesting to note that during the first seven months of 191 1 Germany took a who's year's supply oi' wool— as against 93,000,0001b ::i 1913. She also snatched 5,000,0001b moro in the early days of August, 1914. When the war broke out a German War Wool Association was formed to : Mze the stocks jn Belgium and France, and obtain wool from all possible sources. Tho British embargo was imposed on October 6th, in to which time Germany dees not apjx-ar to havo obtained mr.-'i British v. oo!. So far as British wools were concerned, the danger was met, and Gimr.ny iuri-ed io South America, importing tl. rough Italy, until the declaration of an ahs'lli't.' contraband on wool, and die entry of Italy into the war, closed this source. Without doubt Germany got, her supljes throvgh Genoa by the activity of the \\;\- Wool Association, l'r.ifess ir Ma-grsgor discusses at length the effect of the British embargo on the exports of wool. It was believed that there would be a slump in vahes of a serxr.fi kind, but on the other hand ti.o khaki orders created a demand for <:■ "Oiobred wools which started tli-.'i.i on their wry to record, prices. T!>o istimatrs 11' .■.insumption oi wool by troops varied from three to five times tlo amount esed by the same men on a peace fueling. Soldiers ha v.' returned fi'Mi. -he fro::; who had had neven suits iif clothing. IVding hi detail with tho que-tifili of luanulaci'ire. t!i;i writ. I ]' points out that at oil" period supplies ruled the petition, bu now machinery has become the more vital consideration, and especially is tins the case with regard to machinery unci in the working of merino wools. Cio-s----bred tops and yarns have risen ia value :n about the same ratio as tin raw i material, but- morine. i. Ps and yarns | Jiave increased in fa: - greater "alio j Tliiy is ]Mf>b.-i!>ly d-;e to the f.ir-t that , crofs : reds have had the t'ir.-t claim on ! the R'. a liable machinery for combing. ! earning and spinning. while merinos I • • i ' a ' Io take what machiner - could '

be spared from the military demand. Tho labour question in the woollen nrlls is dealt with, and in regard to finance it is explained that the Treasury scheme for tho relief of foreign creditors replaced the industries in a sound condition. Tho small use which has been made of this scheme is another instance of the fact, which often occurs in financial affairs, that the mere existence of a guarantee enables trade to get or. without it.

o Italian ports ... 8,74 o Belgian ports ... 1,46 o Dutch ports ... 2,6s o U.K. ports ... 4 4.10 o U.S.A. ports ... -1 2,46 o Snanish norts ... 3