NEW ZEALAND'S CLIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1916, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND'S CLIP.

\ FAVORABLE DEAL, Wellington, November 22. Tha wool-growers were not unanimous "n approval of the Imperial fiorernment's amended offer for the New Zealand clip, but unofficial reports in* dicnte that the result of to-day's con« fercnee was not in doubt after the Minister far' Agriculture (Hon. W. D. S. MncDoriald) had stated tho position. The new offer ivas the best that tho Imperial authorities were prepared to make, find the growers were ab!ft to understand from t.itj Minister's remarks that although the wool was not actually being commandeered the Imperial On. vernment had to have it The communications that have been received by the. New Zealand Government. on the subject are quite' definite on that point:Tim scale of prices accepted by the conference is stated to represent an advanee of 35 per cent, on the 1913-11 prices that is, an additional 10 pej;,eent.' over the increase of 4"> per cc-njt. originally offered. .Several of the growers jpvotesteel during the discuso'on that the actual market value of ilieir yool represented an advance of from 64 to /fl 'per cent, on the pre-war prices, «nd that they should not be required to make any 'loss" at ail. But the scntinie/U ol the conference was in favor of the aeceptnnce of what was recognised to be n highly favor.i!i> offer. Sponkins to ybuv correspondent later, several of the delegates stated that the feeling of the/ great majority of the growers wan strongly against any haggling ovei price, though they had felf that t|>< nrisinal offer was not equitable in' its incidence.'

Tile general conditions of the deal, apart from the question of price, are recognised to he hiarhlj favorable to the growers, who will receive cash for tlieii wool and wiil l>e relieved of all anr.'iet* "•warding shipping facilities, freights, ete, tVo Government, as lias been explained. Itlrcadv. intends to make use of the e::'feting organisation fr-~ the oolleetion, classing and shipping of the wool. Delegates mentioned that they were watching with some interest to see_.vvhat would happen in Australia, where' it is understood thnt negotiation*- for the purchase of the Commonwealth'* t":p on behalf of the Imperial (iovernvrerc are i:i progress.