Worlds Wool Resources

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 329, 14 April 1928, Page 25

Worlds Wool Resources

demand exceeding supply Future Prospects Sound STATISTICS regarding the sources of the world’s wool supply over the period 1909-24, compiled by the United States Department of Commerce, make interesting reading. They show the aggregate production to be on the decline. From Australia and New Zealand’s point of view the disquieting t actor is that Africa is coining more and more into the field as a producer of fine wools. With this class of wool that country threatens to become a serious rival to Australia.

rpHE total wool production in 19241 WHS 2,836,537,0001 b. Of this total Australia produced 650.000,0001 b, and Zealand 188,000,0001 b. The following table for the period covering 1909-24 gives an indication of the strength of the various woolproducing countries: Annual Average Production. Countries. 1909-13 in lbs. in lbs, 1924. USA 314,110,000 282,330,000 Can ada 11,210,000 15,112,000 Total for North America.. . . 332,320,000 298,237.000 Cntl. America and West Indies .. 1,000,000 750,000 Argentina .. .. 308,688,000 280,000,000 Brazil •• -- -• 35,000,000 19,000,000 Chile 17,430,000 34,000,000 Uruguay 156,768,000 95,000,000 Other 19,264,000 24,984,000 Total for S. A. 587,350,000 452.954.000 France 30,688,000 42,361,000 Germany.. •• •• 25,600,000 53,600,000 Italy 55,000,000 57,000,000 Spain 52,000,000 94,705,000 Untd. Kingdom . 134,000,000 106,300,000 Russia 320,000,000 Other 172,744,000 1 94,244,000 Total for Europe 810,032,000 554,303,000 British India .. 60,000,000 60,000,000 China 50,000,000 75,000,000 Persia 12,146,000 19,000,000 Russia in Asia.. 60,000,000 195,000,000 Turkev in Asia.. 90,000,000 60,000,000 Other' 1,000,000 Total for Asia 273,146.000 409,000,000 British South Africa 157,761,000 193,000,000 Dther i 3,506,000 81,265,000 Total for Africa 211,567,000 274,265,000 Australia .. .. 705,146,000 650,000,000 New Zealand .. 195.474.000 188,000,000 Other Nations .. 13,000,000 15,000,000 Grand Total .. 3,162,035,000 2,836,539,000 The total production of Russia in Europe and Asia is included in the estimate for 1924 under the heading of total for Asia. The separate figures for 1924 are not available. Dealing with the position T. C. McCarroll, of the National Bank of Commerce, New York, in a late review claimed that the fall in production had been checked, and that a steady increase had taken place since 1921. The fact must be faced, however, that during the last quarter of a century following the cutting up- of many of

-the large estates in the countries of the new world there has been a decided trend toward mixed farming. The amount of attention given to sheep-raising has suffered as a result. In New Zealand the change has been particularly noticeable during the past decade, when dairying has come more and more into prominence as one of the country’s leading industries. On the smaller holdings where the land has increased in price dairying and mixed farming Is essential to the average farmer who wishes to show a profit. In the other countries of the world the same state of affairs prevails. On top of this we have a wider demand. Japan is calling for a bigger weight each year, while it should not be long before China provides a worthwhile market. While with the change of fashion and the increasing use of silken goods the actual per head need for Svool by the greater part of the world’s population is less, the improvement In living conditions has widened the demand, covering to a larger extent the poorer classes. A grasp of the position can be obtained by a glance at the figures for U.S.A. Despite the fact that the population of that country has almost doubled since the beginning of the century, the production of wool has registered a gradual decline. In South America, a country that would be thought to offer the best scope for the development of the sheep-raising industry, production has also fallen off. Asia and South Africa are the only parts of the world showing an increase- worth speaking of. Both have large open spaces capable of further. development. V tewed from most angles, therefore, it appears that prospects in the near future’ for the producers of wool are sound. With an increasing demand and a decline in production taking place, the market must hold a healthy position. Of course, fluctuations can be looked for, but, with the improved condition of trade in England and on the Continent, it is hard to see how there can he any serious weakening in the market for some time to come.

NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW SPECIAL FARMER’S TRAINS The dates set apart tor this everpopular exhibition are .June 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 next, and everything possible is being put in train to make it a record gathering. The annual conference of the National Dairy Association is to be held in Palmerston North at that time, and the Railway Department is arranging a splendid programme of transportation for prospective visi-

tors. One of the items will be a farmers’ excursion train from Auckland and Waikato, special arrangements being made for the provision of accommodation for visitors travelling thereon. Excursion rates will be granted from all stations in this Island, Auckland and South thereof, but Auckland and Waikato passengers north of Taumarunui must travel on the farmers’ special. Football, which is always an attractive feature of the show, will again be provided for relaxation. Dog trials are being reinstated, after being off . the programme for several years, and with the erection of a new entertainment hall for afternoon and evening sessions, a variety of amusements will be available for a change from the more serious side of the show.

FARM FACTS ABOUT CANADA HIGH WHEAT YIELD Fourteen thousand bushels of wheat were threshed recently from a crop grown on 3GO acres of land on the farm of O. Kjarlin, Gold Spring district, Alberta, an average of almost 39 bushels to the acre. The forecast of the lumber cut- in New Brunswick during the logging season which opened recently gives a total of 400,00,000 to 425,000,000 feet board measure. A pen of Barred Rocks owned by John Woods, of Bloomfield, Kings County, New Brunswick, led all Canada in the egg-laying contests held in all of the provinces of Canada, according to a compilation made after the close of the 1926-1927 contests. According to a survey recently completed by the Canadian Government Bureau of Statistics, there are 9,172,238 cattle in Canada, of which 3,594,311 are milch cows. There are 7,800 beekeepers in the province of Quebec, with a total value of hives of 2,000,000 dollars, according to a recent census, an increase of 800 beekeepers over 1926.

CO-OPERATIVE SELLING MENACE OF SPLIT INTERESTS The number of butter agents in Melbourne constitutes a menace to the industry, according to Mr. Lowsby, sub-manager of the Gippsland Selling Co. Mr. Lowsby said that it was essential for the quality of Australian export butter to be standardised. Siberia was a potential formidable contender for a place on the London and other markets, and was watching the position closely. A few years ago the co-operative companies had sent three representatives to make inquiries as to marketing abroad. One result was a strong condemnation of the multiplicity of Australian brands. Now a zoning system had proved most successful, and the idea was being taken up throughout Australia. For the Melbourne market there should he only one selling house. Then sales could be regulated, and both producer and consumer would get better service. At present the Australian price was fixed by the London rate, and an improvement of conditions abroad must react in Melbourne. It was, therefore, desirable that Australia should have her own selling floor in London. Over £20,000,000 worth of Australian butter had been disposed of in London from producers’ own selling floors, but this represented only 25 per cent, of the total, whereas at least 75 per cent, should be sold thus. To a great extent the matter was in the hands of the producers, who, by the adoption of the Paterson plan had proved the strength of unity.

■>& Tlx 7G A. AND P. SHOW DATES Southland Winter Show—May 8 to 10, or 15 to 17. Waikato Winter Show—May 29 to June 5. Otago Winter Show.—Probably June 2 to June 7. Manawatu Winter Show—June 19 to 23. Hawera Winter Show—June 27 to July 4. | Auckland Winter Show—July 11 to 21. Wellington Winter Show—Probably in August. Secretaries of A. and P. Associations are invited to send dates of summer and winter fixtures for insertion in these columns. Communications should be addressed to the “Agricultural Editor, THE SUN.” tL- & & Australia is seventh in the list of cattle-holding countries. British India heads the list, and the United States is second. Argentine is fourth, Germany fifth. France sixth, and Great Britain eighth. Regarding the charges for phosphatic manures, farmers are sometimes at a loss to understand the manure analysis supplied. Superphosphate is sold in various grades, and the meaning of 44-46 super is that for every 1001 b there is somewhere between 441 b and 461 b of the equivalent of