The sun., 1919-10-08
AUSTRALIAN WOOL
INDUSTRY GUARDED
Prices to Be Maintained for
Three Months From Oct. 1,
1919, Says Ministry.
BRITISH INTERESTS SAFE
Measures Taken to Readjust
All Details Disturbed by
War Conditions.

MELBOURNE, Sept. 1.--When the ship
ping problem became acute and the
pastoralists of Australia thought their
wool would become a drug on the mar
ket--owing to the impossibility of secur-
ing bottoms during the submarine
phase OF the war--the British Govern
ment. needing wool supplies for army
purposes. bought the balance OF the
Australian clip Of 1s1e-le17. About a
third Of the clip had already been mar
keted. Later the purchase scheme was
extended to the clip Of 1917-191s and
then again for the period of the war and
for one wool year thereafter. The
British contract now terminates in
June, 1920.
The British Government bought the
wool at an average price of about 81
cents a pound of greasy, with so per
cent, Of the profits on sales for civilian
account. These figures represent a
fairly considerable increase on pre-war
prices. The British Government paid
cash In Australia fourteen days after
| appraisement, though big proportion
of the wool could not be shipped be-
cause of a dearth Of tonnage. This un-
shipped portion was stored away at the
risk and wish of the Imperial Govern
ment. The measure was a generous one
to Australia, and saved the financial
situation Of the wool raisers and pas
| toralists.
The activities of the Central Wool
| Commttee-the controlling organization
| of the wool pool--for the season of
| 191S-1919 were outlined In a statement
tabled in the Federal House OF Repre-
sentatives in Melbourne during the weei.
| of August 8. The seasons wool handled
amounted to 2,025, 4s6 bales, or $50, ,t0s.-
| 672 pounds. This compared with the
| figures for the preceding season repre-
sents an increase of 115,554 bales. or
| 35,152,963 pounds. The average ap-
] praised price was 81 cents a pound of
wool in a greasy state and about 30
cents a pound of secured wool.
To Guard Australian Industry.
The statement adds that the British
| Ministry of Supply has accepted the
Wool Councils recommendation that
prices Of the commodity be maintained
upon a uniform level for at least three
months from October /. 1919, consisten,
with the need of protecting Great Brit
aims and Australia's interests. Con-
Guiding the statement points out thai
the Commonwealth Government will
rigidly guard Australian Industry ano
British interests in Its control of the
wool production. exercising due caution
In the distribution of the product. bu
keeping in mind always the fair inter
ests of the consuming world at large.
A complete report, dealing with tht
British purchase of the 1917-19lS sea
son has also been made available. Th'
report says that the latter season wa:
remarkable for the fact that for thu
first time in the history of the trade
the total wool production Of the Com
monwealth was valued in Australia
The first appraisement for the seasor
began on November 5. 1917, ana tn,
final appraisement was completed OF
June 29. 1918. The total quantity
of wool submitted for appraisemen
amounted to:
Greasy y....................S $50 e2s. $50 pound
Secured NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 47,340, 403 pound