DUNEDIN WOOL SALE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 April 1939, Page 3

DUNEDIN WOOL SALE

INTERNATIONAL SITUATION AFFECTS VALUES UNCERTAINTY OF DELIVERY IN 'EVENT OF WAR. COMPETITION VERY ERRATIC. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, April 19. The fourth and final wool sale of the 1938-39 season held in Dunedin today did nothing to buoy the flagging spirits of wool-growers in this provincial district. The issue has been clouded by ' rumours of boycotts and curtailments, but it was the larger issue of international complications which actually communicated to today’s auction the unfavourable aspect which it presented. Competition was not keen, even among those sections of the market which have in thp past contributed a definite liveliness to proceedings in this centre. By this it is not implied that France, always an enlivening influence in the market in New Zealand, was not an active participant in the day’s selling. Whatever the intentions of the French Government may be, French operators were more than willing to take their part in bidding. Continental buyers had to consider the possibility of being unable to make delivery of their purchases at consuming centres because of the possibility of an outbreak of war, and this eventuality, more than any suggestion of a boycott, reacted unfavourably on local values. Prices were not high and many descriptions of attractive fine- wools sold or were passed at rates considerably below their real value. The Dunedin Woolbrokers’ Association’s official report is as follows:— “The fourth Dunedin wool sale was held today, when 24,473 bales of wool were catalogued. A full bench of buyers represented all purchasing' countries. Wools on offer were an average selection with a greater percentage' of crossbreds than usual! at the closing sale. Fine wools auctioned mostly represented late-shorn back-country clips, the quality of which showed evidence of the adverse weather prevailing during the winter. There were also a few choice early-shorn halfbreds that were in good condition. Crossbreds on offer were representative of the clip and there was a number of outstanding lines distributed throughout the catalogue. There was a big weight of skirtings on offer and these varied in condition. CROSSBREDS IN DEMAND.

“From the outset till the close of the sale competition was very erratic. Choice lines of fine wools were in good demand, specially when required by local mills. The sale, however, for average and inferior merinos and halfbreds was very disappointing, limits for this class of wool showing a marked reduction on the previous Dunedin sale. Crossbreds were in good demand, specially for stylish lots, and hoggets came in particular attention. Some grades sold at the best price for the season. The same attention was not paid to medium and inferior quality crossbreds, which were hardly up to last sale’s quotations. The demand for skirtings varied according to the quality. Fine descriptions were weaker in sympathy with fleece, but crossbred skirtings sold particularly well. “The mainstay of the market was Bradford, who purchased a big weight of the offering, with France, Belgium and Germany buying moderately. Limited orders were also on the market for the United States, Canada and Japan. Local mills operated on the best halfbreds and merinos' and choice lines of skirtings. Australia also was buying a few lines of crutchings. The poor sale for fine wools accounted for the bulk of passings, which were ap-. proximately 10 per cent. Top price of the sale was 14.',d for a five-bale lot of first halfbred, grown by Mr R. Sutherland, Kaihiku.”

RANGE OF PRICES. The official range of prices is:— March 16, April 19 1939. 1939 d. d. d. d. Extra super .... 141 to — — — Super 12 to 14 i 105 to 12 Average 10 to 111 95 to 101 Inferior 9 to 95 71 to 9 Fine halfbred, 56/58’s: — Extra super .... 141 to — 14.1 to — Super 12.1 to 14 12 to 131 Average 11 to 12 10 to 111 Inferior 91 to 105 71 to 91 Medium halfbred , 50/56’s:— Extra, super .... 13.; io — — — Super 12 to 125 11 to 12 Average 105 to 11.5 95 to 10} Inferior 9 to 101 7 to 9 Fine crossbred, 48/50’s: — Extra super .... 12> to — 12 to 125 Super 11.1- to 12} 11 to 115 Average 95 to 11 9.1 to 10.5 Inferior 81 to 91 75 to 85 Medium crossbreds, 46/58’s: — Super 105 to 12 10.1 to 12 Average 91 to 101 9 to 95 Inferior 8 to 9.1 7,1 to 81 Crossbred, 44/46’s: — Super 10 J , to 111 95 to 11 Average 91 to 10 81 to 91 Inferior 81 to 9', 71 to 8 Merino, necks and pieces:— Super 101 to 121 9.1 to 10.1 Low to medium 8 to 10 7 to 8} Halfbred necks and pieces:Extra super .... 12 ■ — — — Super 101 to 111 91 to 11 Good to super 8’, to 10 75 to 9 Low to medium 6', to 75 55 to 7.1 Crossbred necks and pieces: — Super 9 to IO 1 , 81 to 95 Average 7.1 to 8.1 7', to 8 Inferior 6 to 7 6 to 7 Halfbred crutchings:— Medium to good 5 to 7 5 to 6 Inferior •4 to 4 5 31 to 41 Crossbred crutchings:— Medium to good 6 to 8 61 to 81 Inferior 4 to 41 4 to 6 Locks: — Merino 4 to 51 3.1 to 4 Halfbred 4} to 55 3 J to 41 Crossbred 31 to 45 3.1 to 4