OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2316, 8 October 1908, Page 1

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

THE WOOL MARKET. A BETTER TONE. [From Our Special Correspondent.]

BRADFORD, August 28, Thero is about the Bradford market a better tone, men arc coming back from their holidays refreshed in mind and body, and there is evidently a desire once again to get into harness. During tlie past week transactions have been more numerous, both merinos and' crossbreds participating. One or two decent weights are reported which show that spinners, iii some quarters, have confidence in to-day’s values, and dealers, in a few cases, have also bought tops for delivery between now and tlie next three months. Even to tlie Qpntinent a few decent parcels of carded tops have been taken, and generally speaking there is not that depressed feeling about the market that there was. At the. same time there is nothing, to shout over, for no advances havo been made. There is not, that tendency to shade prices that one saw a fortnight ago, and the transactions put through are on the basis of 22,jd for super 60’s, and 10,]d for 40’s, though some have sold at a farthing less. I don’t think there is going to be any 'forcing of prices in view of tho now season fast approaching. There is among Bradford importers arid consumers a consensus of opinion that cheap wool is wanted, and' that in order to get back a large slice of the heavy losses of last season both wool and tops want to be cheaper during the next six months. There is no improvement to be noted at the consuming end of the trade, and that is making tilings all the worse. There is no great stock ot either wool or tops, the former selling fairly well. In fact, good wool, this last fortnight, lias sold as well as anything, and tho least, improvement in tlie general trade of tlio country would help matters very considerably. Tlie threatened trouble in the Lancashire cotton trade is looked upon with considerable fear by our manufacturers, for the large populations in t-lio Countv Palatine absorb considerable quantities of Bradford-made dress goods and wosted fabrics. Already the consumption lias dropped off tremendously, net half tlie loom going to-day that there was a year ago. Tlie situation is, therefore, one of considerable perplexity, and business is a long way under normal. Nothing but a hand-to-mouth policy is being pursued, and as far as one can judge, users are not going to commit themselves very far ahead. Prices are steady, and there seems at present oil- effort being made to sell tho market down.