WOOL AND GRAIN MARKETS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 214, 3 April 1886, Page 2

WOOL AND GRAIN MARKETS.

\\ k extract the following items of intdi-■,'.-ncp fiom the Annual report published J>y \lc-srs R. (Jiildsborough and Q>., MelInunio :— The opening of the olotiia.l odl1112 s.'ixom of 1885-fi was awaited by. grower* md oth.-rs interested in the wool trade with feeling of the deepesfcanxietv.-for n«>l only was it generally known tnat the shrinkage in the value of onr great staple 111 th • homo mirkets had reached a lower p >mt tlnn had luen witnessed for fort} vcirs, but pravo apprehensions were entertained by many that tho River Plate production, which had so prejudicially affected our wools dunni; the past year, would igain come into direct competition with a large proportim of the Australian clip, and so cause values to recede still further. Since buyer* and hellers were last called together the decline in prices had continued with a persistency that defied all pfforts to arrest its downward course, and at this time the fail had reached, on an average, 3£d. per lb. on merino greasy, l^d. per lb. on crossbreds, and 4Ad. to Od. on scoured and washed wools. Even aft this enormous reduction manufacturer* in England were shFcrhfbe working at little profit, while on the Continent matters were reported to be much worse. Prospects on all sides were therefore decidedly unfavourable, and a poor selling season was naturally predicted. Happily all gloomy forebodings were doomed to speedy disappointment, nnd once again our market furnished an illustration of the proverbial vitality of the wool trade of so striking a character as to literally surprise, those pessimists who, yielding to an impulse of panic, had striven to show that pastoral pursuits were on the wane.

In briefly rftvie win ar the transaction^ of our grain operations during the past year, we cannot regard them as satisfactory, either to tho producer, manufacturer, or exporter. The season gave promise of large yields, which, however, was not realised, eventuating in an export surplus of less than half of tho previous year, whilst the price of wheat, as compared "with the relative value of flour, left little of no profit to millers. The result of exporters of wheat to Europe were also ipry disappointing, falling markets throughout leaving nothing but deficiencies on shipments. Although the past year has been a discouraging one to agriculturists throughout the colony, owing to unsatisfactory yields and low prices, still the large number of our population now engaged in this industry makes it one' of the most important to the community ; and it is gratifying to note that the Government is now taking active measures to increase our producing powers by giving every assistance to promote irrigation, the outcome of what must bo a greatly increased return in the yield of our cereal crops of all description-", more particularly of wheat, for, the growing of ■ which so' large an area of the land in tmV colony is adapted, adequate water supply being all' that is lequired to increase our returns fourfold. -Notwithstanding the almost continuous fall in the price of wheat in Europe during the year, the variations in value here have been comparatively trifling, owing principally to the quantity which had to be dealt with being 11111911 less when compared with the previous season, for while prices in Europe offered little inducement to shippers wo wei e fortunate in having other markets to supply, the colonies of New' South Wales and Queensland taking a large quantity ef our surplus. In the face of the enormous stocks of wheat now held throughout the world, and the great increase in production of this cereal both in America and India,' the most sanguine can hope for but little improvement in nrices; and our agriculturists would do well to carefully consider this matter, in the event of having to turn their attention to the raising of other produce that will yield better returns. A large number of our inillera, both in town and . country, have greatly increased the value of their flour by introducing in its manufacture what is known as the patent roller system, and with the quality of the wheat operated on (admittedly the finest. in tho world) the manufactured article has taken a high place among consumers in the other colonies, and thus enabled us to wrest from South Australia the monopoly previously enjoyed by that colony in this direction. In the season now entered on prices are not likely to be much influenced by values ruling in Europe, owing to an almost failure of the wheat crop in South Australia. The greater portion of our available surplus will thus be required to supply the wants of the other colonies, and .-as a great part of our export 'trade "will bo in thn shape, of flour, the prospect of millers of ' being profitably employed is encouraging, ana "a steady pi-ice for wheat durin? the season' is fairly well assured.

Victoria N. S/W»le« ...«' .. Queensland South Australia West Australia Tasmania NewrZcaland 18 5 317, 12 » 1217,119 104,301 15,108 14,427 21,681 237,875 358,228 7841,471 99,974 118,357 13,204 24,415 , 228,900 Total Australian ... Cape and Natal 11,027,723 182,1(58 1,034,355 189,377 Grand Total |1,209,891 1,273,732

IMPORTATIONS OF WOOL INTO LONDON IN 1884 AND 1885.