OUR BRADFORD LETTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2468, 5 April 1909, Page 2

OUR BRADFORD LETTER.

i ? ”• . . SOME AMERICAN WOOLS—GREAT DECREASE IN ARGENTINE ' FLOCKS. (From Our Special Correspondent.) BRADFORD, Feb. 19. In Soutli American wools the entire trade has an unfailing supply of* very useful raw material, and the question of sheep/ stocks in that part of the world is of direct moment to other pastoralists, both in Australasia and South Africa. During the last dozen years the Argentine Republic has come to. the front in a most significant way, and as time passes the position they have gained will not be relinquished. At the same time Australian wool and mutton still remain a trifle better article, though South American estancia holders have, this last few years, improved the quality of both tlieir wool and mutton exports. The progressive policy of the estancia holders of the River Plate and Eatagonia is well known, and by the last mail from Buenos Aires particulars came to hand showing the imported pedigree stock to Argentina for the first eleven months of 1908, and we give comparisons with previous years:—

'For years Lack experts have disagreed as to the number of sheep depastured in the River Plate, and last year the Agricultural Department in Buenos Ayres decided to take count. A recent * mail from South America brings full detailed particulars of the final returns of the agricultural and pastoral pensus. They reveal three rather. unexpected results, viz, first, a great increase in cattle; second, something very near to duplication in the number of horses; and third, a confirmation of the suspected decrease in sheep. It is only about twelve months since the Argentine Consuls abroad were officially supplied with statistics giving the number of sheep in the Republic at approximately 100 millions, while several large financial and banking institutions in Buenos Ayres have persistently stated that 120 million sheep were being depastured. From private sources I have always understood that 70 millions were nearer the mark, and it now proves that even this was too high. Tlie_ actual figures of the live stock are given

as follows: — Number^ Sheep. 67,211,754: Cattle 29,116,625 Horses 7,531,376 Goats 3,245,086 Pigs 1,402,591 Mules 465,037 Donkeys * 285,088

The estimated value of the above stock is returned at £129,370,000. The totals compare with the two previous (oensfus netiUms as follows: — Year. Sheep Cattle Horses 1888 66,701,097 21,963,930 4,262,917 1895 74,379,562 21,791,526 4,445,859 1908 67,211,754 29,116,625. 7,531,376 It has been known for years that big valuable sheep runs were being largely replaced with cattle, the only extension noticeable being in Patagonia, where sheep were fast increasing. No doubt the weight of wool which the River Plate is turning out does not show much falling off to what it did a fe\y years back. Like Australian pastoralists, Argentine estancia holders have gone in lately for keeping a bigger sheep, and if New Zealand pastoralists could see the splendid*character of the crossbred wool now being lurn f a out from the Argentine they would be surprised, for the best stud jlicep that money can buy are being still imported into both countries. So far as sheepbreeding and wool-growing is concerned, there is no indication of pastoralists in South America standing still, and when they have learned to i repare their clip for market as .* •x ; ;: alian squatters do, their wool will r < ik higher on.the markets of the world. River Plate wools, as I l-a.vp airrxdv said, is a topic of unfailing interes: to members of the trade, thunks entirely to its improving cbaractecisD.cs. Bradford buyers look upon ‘•be wool produce of the whole of South America with considerably more favor than was the case even five years <<go, and, .is time goes on, this feeling will gr-’W. Patagonian wools are increasing by leaps and bounds. A competent authority stated not many months'ago, that part of South America could easily depasture 30 millions of sheep. As already seen, the sheep stocks of the Argentine are less than were generally expected. The following figures relate expressly to the total imports of Riveic 'Plate wool into Europe North America, and considerable light is thrown upon the quantity being produced in the Argentine: —

The above does not adequately represent the whole of the wool product of South America, the shipments from Uruguay being very important indeed. The following have been the exports of wool from Monte Video during the last few years:—

Year. Bales. • 1900- ... 84,553 1901- ... ... 63,559 1902- ... 79,564 1903- ... 67,818 1904- 64,189 1905- 75,792 1906- 82,400. 1907- ... 95,401

At some future time we may look specially at the wools being produced in Patagonia, for these are not only increasing fast, but have lately grown much more popular, "both with Home and Continental buyers. For hosiery porposes they are serving an excellent purpose. ; UPWARD TENDENCY IN PRICES. The past week has been a good one so far as relates to the wool business of the West Riding, most interest undoubtedly centreing’ around merinos. If crossbreds Only shaped; like merinos there would be soon seen a brisk state of affairs, but the Bradford market is, to a large. extent, onesided, and interest ihostly centres around fine . wools. This is evidenced in values being up id per lb. p and super 60’s tops cannot be called less than 23£d, 64’s 24}d, and 70’s 25£d. As a matter of, inct a very. o->od. business hr.t boon clone in ssupe ; v ' •vb .1

There is a growing conviction that fine wool is right, and this has led to some good transactions both in wool and topis. The business has been done ixij: a somewhat quiet way, but several big. topmakors reported good sales; in fact: some do not want to sell more until they secure further adequate supplies. Importers never bought moro freely in tho colonies, and there is not that reserve seen that there was. At the same time one cannot help but think that a good deal of business recently done is more or less speculative, for the simple fact that delivery in many cases is not to take place till some months hence. Another very satisfactory feature is that commission woolcombers are sending out fine tops as fast as ever they are combed, and plenty cannot keep up to their contracts. This means that consumption is large, and very satisfactory. Fine •yarn spinners are undoubtedly much busier than crossbred spinnere, tho ilatter being rather quiet.. A big effort is made to keep machinery going, but it is doubtful if spinning to stock as Hot, in many cases, taking place. . Some report an addition of particulars, but they are hardly of thtit important dharacter which they might be. Continental yarn houses still complain bitterly of the absence of business, although plenty of trade could be done if a trifle less could be taken by spinners. Lately a- good many second-hand yarns have changed hands, this not being conductive, to the, interests-of spinners. Some • good weights of crosbred wool has been sold since, the close of the last London sales for export to America, and some, good parcels have also gone to the Continent., : There is about the market a good undertone, : and, this should, help trade considerably. . \ ~

SHEEP IMPORTATIONS. 1908 1907 1906 1905 Lincolns 1,710 3,263 4,340 2,993 Rambouillet 14 98 . 39 19 Shropshire 31 193 224 193 Hampshire ' 60 112 389 198 Various 350 294 . 319 409 • 2,165 3,960 5,311 3,812

Year. Bales Year. Bales 1899 540,000 1889 421,000 1900 468,000 1890 317,000 1901 532,000 1891 380,000 1902 532,000 1892 415,000 1903 558,000 1893 414,000 1904 476,000 1894 443,000 1905 488,000 1895. 513,000 1906 487,000 1896 .543,000 1907 478,000 1897 550,000 1908. 484,000 1898 555,000