THE WOOL PROBLEM.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 15 November 1916, Page 5

THE WOOL PROBLEM.

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, Nov i*. A conference of representatives of wool growers, brokers, buyers, and others interested, was held to-day, nr the invitation of the Minister of Agriculture. At the outset the meeting passed a resolution that the Dorn Liion is determined to see the war through to a successful end. The cen ference resolved itself into several sections, which spent, the whole day discussing details of the Imperial Government’s proposals for the acquisition of the whole of the current season’s Dominion clip. The conference was not finished, and resumes to-mor-row morning. It is understood the Home Government offers to pay fifty per cent, increase on pre-war rates, equal to an increase in the total value* of about three million pounds, centpared with the 1913-1914 season. A LABOUR SUGGESTION. CHRISTCHURCH. Nov 14. The secretary of the Canterbury Tanneries and Fellmongers’ Union has written as follows to the Minister of Agriculture:—“l am directed 'by the Canterbury Tanners and Fellmongers’ Union to say that in the pro posal to commandeer the wool clip of New Zealand, a serious situation is likely to arise for a considerable number of workers in the wool sorting and scouring industry in Canterbury. At least 500 men are engaged in this industry, a substantial proportion of whom are permanently employed either at handling wool or skins (apart from those employed at the freezing works). The present situation in England demands that every relief should be given in the way of providing articles as- nearly finished as passible, and seeing that the ranks of the workers are being continually depleted by enlistments, I would respectfully suggest that all the preliminary operations, as sorting, scouring, etc., should be done before shipment. This would have the effect of considerably assisting England in her labour shortage, besides preventing the dislocation to the local trade and inconvenience to the workers employed therein.”