THE WOOL MARKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2438, 1 March 1909, Page 2

THE WOOL MARKET.

THE POSITION AT HOME. PRICES VERY FIRM. (From Our Special Correspondent.) BRADFORD, Jan. 15. The week’s business has -again been characterised by a very strong tone, and a fair amount of activity has been seen. At the raw material‘end of the market there is a long way'the most activity, jmd a very sangtfine feeling obtains. Among topmakers there is a fair amount of tall talk being indulged in, and occupying as they do afairly strong position, they are not so very keen at selling, heavily either at one price or another. Most of them are wanting 23]d for super 60’s, but so recently as last Monday 23d was accepted by more than one topmaker of repute for his standard ( .super 60’s. At the same time 23]d lias been freely made, and a penny more is quoted for 64’s. Consumption seems to be well maintained in this department, and so far.as one can see is likely to be. Of course, with the -London sales so near at hand, some are not open to do business until they see what things are going to be like, and it is fully anticipated 'that fine wools will maintain last sales’ closing rates, and possibly advance par to 5 per cent, but expectations .respecting crossbreds are much more pronounced, and 7-]d per cent is freely talked of. Even a higher figure is named, but the arrivals -are certainly heavier than at one time seemed likely. /While business is undoubtedly better in fine wool, and there has been an improvement in stronger qualities, yet a further move up of 7-J- per cent is as large as what the trade can -stand. There is just a possibility of Hie raw material amoving faster than other departments of the trade, and yarn business is nothing like as healthy as.it is in' merinos. While the raw material seems to be everywhere urgently wanted, yet there is no pressure in spinning and manufacturing circles, and with direct imports now arriving weekly in large quantities, there is bound to be some relief at no distant date. Holders seem very sanguine that they have the future with them, for nobody seems keen in selling anything.' If tops could be bought at what they could a fortnight ago, some big'quantities would be purchased, but most people have enough contracts on at present. A little flurry was caused last Monday by a report from Wellington that American style

if- oross-breds were Id. to Id cheaper, out top-makers, are as firm as ever, •ail'd they will have to see wool cheapoi’,• in . other markets before they will o'w-er their quotations. ..