“MILITANT STRIKE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 903, 21 February 1930, Page 13

“MILITANT STRIKE”

NO BUYERS AT WELLINGTON WOOL SALE

SELLERS’ RIGHTS DENIED Special to THE SUN WELLINGTON, Today. Empty benches greeted Mr. J. B. Moodie, auctioneer, at the Wellington wool sale yesterday, when he appeared with hammer in hand. The Town Hall was filled with representatives of the growers, brokers, shippers, banks and merchants, but not one buyer appeared, and for the first time in history the general public was invited to occupy the buyers’ benches. “The state of affairs which has arisen,” said Mr. Moodie, “resembles a militant strike. The buyers are attempting to say to the men who wish to sell their wool that they shall not sell unless the men who are holding will sell too. Every man has a right to determine whether he will sell his wool.

“The brokers have made every effort to assist the buyers, and have been told of the buyers’ decision not to attend unless a 20,000-bale minimum was offered at very short notice. The buyers have been kept fully advised of the progress of the offerings, and on January 28 were given an estimate of 19,000 bales, this b.eing amended to 15,000 on February 10. Only last Saturday was the buyers’ ultimatum delivered. If the brokers had wished to trouble the buyers they could have offered 20,000 bales, 5,000 of which could not have been sold because of a prohibitive reserve.” The trouble was between the growers and the buyers, said Mr. Moodie, and he trusted that an amicable settlement would be arrived at in a few days. Though the buyers said the expense of attending at Wellington for a catalogue of 15,000 bales was too great, it must be remembered that with Wellington, Wanganui and Napier they would have had a catalogued 45,000 bales. The position is being considered by the Woolbrokers’ Federation in Christchurch this morning, and it is understood there is a possibility that no future sale will be held until the Wellington catalogue is disposed of.

BENEFIT FROM DELAY

MAY HELP GROWERS Special to THE SUN CHRISTCHURCH, Today. Interviewed last evening, Mr. W. C. Brydon, president of the New Zealand Woolbrokers’ Association, said there had been no change in the position locally. There would be a meeting of New Zealand woolbrokers in Christchurch next morning to consider the position, and there might possibly be something to report after this meeting.

It is considered in some quarters that the difficulty which has arisen in connection with the wool sales in the Dominion may result in benefit to woolgrowers. There are those who a re of opinion that the lowest prices which are likely to rule for the season have been touched and that the probabilities are in favour of improved prices for the wool that remains to be sold. Those who are of this opinion say that a postponement of the sales for a week or two will be all in favour of the woolgrowers.

BRITISH PROTEST

ACTION OF GROWERS DEPLORED ( LONDON, Wednesday. The British Wool Federation, replying to a cablegram from the New Zealand Selling Brokers’ Association, says:— “We regret that the growers are withholding offerings. Confidence will not he restored by this action. If the Press intimation is correct that the sale will be held in spite of the representations of the Buyers’ Association, the federation registers its protest.”