DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 86, 24 November 1911, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS.

THE WOOL SALE TROUBLE (Per Press Association.)

Wellington, November 24. Mr Mabin, president of the N.Z. Woolbrokers’ Association, informed a “Post” reported that the wool buyers and the Woolbrokers’ Associations in conference had agreed to the insertion of a strike clause in the conditions of sale. The effect would he that should delay in delivery be caused through strikes and wool is not paid for, the buyer shall have the option of cancelling the sale if tiio wool is paid for. The sale will remain valid but in abeyance until delivery is possible. As buyers must pay for wool within fourteen days, a strike can only affect the growers if it occurs within fourteen days of the sale. NO-LICENSE IN MASTERTON. Masterton, November 24. In response to n circular inviting such of the business men of Masterton as were favourable to the restoration of licenses to attend a meeting, resulted in a large and representative meeting being held last evening in Murray’s Hall, when the. following resolutions were unanimously carried: —(1) That those present are of opinion that no-license has proved a failure, and that steps should ho taken to have licenses restored in the Masterton electorate; (2) that in the event of restoration being. carried it will rest entirely with the people themselves how hotels shall bo conducted—they have the privilege of electing a Licensing Committee, and if that privilege is judiciously exorcised they surely can rely on the Bench to see that the Licensing Act is strictly enforced, and that only capable men or women of highest character .are permitted to conduct hotels. A strong committee of business mou was also elected to promote the objects of the meeting in its endeavours to gain restoration for the Masterton electorate. SUPPOSED SUICIDE. Masterton, November 24. John Smith, farmer, at Opaki, was found dead in a swamp near his house this morning, with a gunshot wound in the lower part of his body. THE STOCK MARKET. Palmerston, November 23. At Abraham and Williams’ annual meeting to-day, Mr R. S. Abraham (chairman of directors), in reviewing tho prospects of the stock markets, said that the probable expansion of the frozen meat and butter markets to foreign countries, the increased spending power of the workers resulting from their efforts to obtain bettor pay (which must bo more or loss successful), the reduction in the flocks of tho world and the universal demand of the masses for better conditions generally, must ncccesu-ily ream; in increased consumption of car pr .ducts and therefrom hotter prices. At the same time there seemed some danger of an over sanguine view' being taken by invests:s In land. Y; Ices seemed to be advancing abnormally, and another season reach ;m last would have a most disastrous effect on recent buyers. This danger might he rectified bji the large number of properties now being put up or that will he so in the near future. Wool appeared to ha under a temporary cloud, and a drop of something like 2d per lb at the recent sales was sufficiently serious. Whilst this was the result mainly of the drop at Horae, no doubt the buyers’ strike had something to do with it. This had been settled on reasonable lines, and there was no reason why the business should not he carried on amicably in future. Colonial wool sales had now assumed such importance, and wore so well attended by buyers from foreign countries, that with few exceptions growers of smaller clips, say of 50 bales or under, could practically obtain London prices here, and thus save cost of freight, insurance, etc., whilst they had the additional advantage of knowing precisely how they stood, and were in no danger of halving to pay reclamations of money which they had already spent and forgotten. Tho price of store sheep, more particularly breeding ewes, should he good this season, considering the considerable decrease in the flocks of tho Dominion which had been intensified by a very light lambing season. The meeting declared a dividend of G per cent, and carried £2983 to the reserve fund, making it £BOOO. Tho firm had reduced its liabilities by £BO,000 in three years. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. Nelson, November 23. A very severe thunderstorm burst over the district this evening, followed by the heaviest fall of hail experienced for some years. The orchards must have suffered greatly. UNSEASONABLE WEATHER. Dunedin, November 23. * The weather has been exceptionally unseasonable for more than a month past. The records show that this is the thirty-seventh consecutive day on which rain has fallen, heavy showers falling at intervals. To-night the temperature is very low.