OUR BRADFORD LETTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2502, 15 May 1909, Page 3

OUR BRADFORD LETTER.

VALUES ADVANCED

(From our correspondent.)

BRADFORD, March 25. Business in Bradford continues to be marked by a splendid inquiry, and during tho past -week a good deal of trade has been done. It is many years since and topmakers did such a large volume of business as during tli£ past month, and when one expects that a week of activity must be followed by a period of quietness, equally as big a turnover is again seen. Since the second series of London sales commenced There has been very large sales of both wool, tops, and, yarns, and a very healthy feeling obtains. There is 110 doubt that the continued advance in London, together with the great activity seen has imparted to the whole of the AVcst Riding a much needed stimulus, business has moved in a much more easy way, and there lias been much anticipatory buying. The big bogey of prospective higher prices has undoubtedly influenced a good few and caused them to buy for months ahead, and it now remains to be.seen liow far circumstances will justify their action. At present there is no.dearth of stocks, there being not an! able-bodied woolsorter out of employment in Bradford. Consumption is at the maximum at the wooloombing end of the trade, and there is no slackening in the demand for tops,. This is as satisfactory a feature) as any in conjunction with tlie movement in London, and there is no doubt that both among wool men and topmakers a very comfortable 1 feeling obtains. As the result of the large sales of tops during the past fortnight, all quotations have been advanced, and super 60’s tops are to-day mostly quoted at 2o)d, and 64’s 26)d, but I tliink it yet possible to buy comfortably at even money; in fact, more than one standard maker was still willing to sell at 25d and 26d respectively, last Monday. Such prices are not warranted by London, but seemingly so long as cheaper imports last out, topmakers Tfrejvilling to give their customers tlie benefit. Tlie fact is tliat some firms are not quoting at all, having done quite as much business as they want. Low crossbreds arc nothing near so active as medium and fine qualities, and some big contracts for future delivery have been agreed upon. Spinners aro better off for work, and there certainly is more doing at that end oi the industry, all f.rames now running full time. The reported big German yarn contracts have been taken in Bradford with lhe proverbial pinch of salt, and speculation has undoubtedly boon largely indulged in. Mohair is no better, and business drags very heavily.