OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3383, 25 November 1911, Page 3

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

SOME POINTS OF INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE. MAKINGS A BID FOR. LOWER

PRICES

from our Special correspondent.] BRADFORD, Oct. 20. "We are passing through a peculiar time, hut when all is said one done no one need he surprised at the latest turn of the kaleidoscope. Old wool banes have seen similar experiences before, though trade now-a-days is conducted on somewhat different lines to what some of us have known. Every nn«n is now in business for himself, and as the end. of all trade is profit, so in wool, ways and means are employed when prices are moderately high to bring about a better buying basis, and that undoubtedly lias been the work of the past month in wool circles. The opening of a new season in Australia, the Cape, and South America must always be regarded as a time when markets are open to considerable manipulation, and this season a natural fall has helped by the “bear”, party taking things largely into their own hands. In past letters we have emphas'sed the fact that a bettor buying basis has been the goal of those operating at Australian soiling centres, and many are of the opinion that the majority have not yet got fully home. It is quite true that prices have come down to a moderate level, and there is not the danger connected with importing that there was, hut buyers have still before them the goal of two shillings as the price of standard 64’s tops; and they will not rest until values come down to that level. We have been wondering during the past week how far the attitude of the “bears” is justified, and whether any more trade wil] be done with prices on the basis already mentioned than would be done at say 10 to In per cent more. It u<sed to he a standard saying in the wool trade that G4’s at “two bob” was a safe basis, and with an increase in the world’s demands, if it was true ten years ago. it certainly must be more so to-day. All the same a big effort is being made to get, prices still lower, and users throughout the West Riding are very indifferent about contracting for next year’s supplies of tops even though they can buy a fairly good 04‘s at 241 d. ARE FASHIONS CHANGING?

We are persuaded that the present strong desire to see a lower range of values is l>orn of the fact that trade is not nearly so good as it was a year ago. l'pon that point then 1 can be no doubt. Mills which come under our own personal observation, give unmistakeable signs of being quieter than they have been for years. We do not sav that factories in the West Riding are very slack, nothing of the sort, but nothing near so much overtime is being worked. and in many cases where mills were running all lad winter till 8 p.m., they are to-day shutting down at 5.30. while in one or two cases the weavers are working only from breakfast time.' All these are indications that business is quieter and to many people the wonder is that it is not even more so. We may be wrung in our conclusions, hut it appears to more than the writer that the only way of resuscitating trade and encouraging confidence on the part of the wholesale buyer is to tempt same hv offering popular textiles at a trifle loss money. Manufacturers in the course of a few weeks will be showing for the autumn and winter of 1912, twelve montlis before the fabrics are wanted. Now it is well-known that fine heavy woollen and worsted fabrics are rather expensive, and with crossbred wool being sensibly cheaper than merinos, manufacturers of Cheviot tweeds are doing their utmost to encourage their sale. Fine woollen men know this, and arc therefore desirous of checkmating this tendency of fashion all they can. If one stops and glam—j at the windows containing both men and women's wear fabrics he cannot fail but be surprised wit-li the Large quantitv of Scotch tweeds, which are seen, all of which are made of medium and fine crossbred wool. This raises the question as "to whether or no there is a change in fashions. Very popular fabrics for ladies cloaks are being made this season from “reversible” cloths, the one side possibly being a stripe or a check in a green, grey, or brown shade, while the opposite side of the cloth is of a plain shade, say a green, drab, or fawn. These are not being made out of merino wools, but being light yet thick, they are very popular and. are going to be, and some decent orders have been placed in these materials. Some dozen years ago this same fabric had an innings, and although we are told that mrinos still hold sway for the regular lines of wearing apparel, yet one cannot but he struck with the greatly increased showing of crossbred cloths. All this we say clearly indicates the general trend of fashion which soon permeates to the retail trade, and the men behind the counter play an important part in inducing their customers to buy these Cheviot effects. THE USEFULNESS OF CROSSBRED WOOLS. The well-known Bradford authority. Mr. S. B. Hollings, was lecturing hist Monday night before the Shipley 'Textile Society on “Crossbred wools; their Origin. Characteristics and Uses,” making°some very interesting and practical observations. V hen the history of the Australasian and South American wool trade comes to be written the story about the m a Icing of our present broedso will form a very interesting chapter. There is no doubt that the large supplies of crossbred avools has clone a- great deal towards developing the textile industry in the West Riding, and the number of fabrics which are being used to-day of a crossbred nature are legion. It really is. surprising where all the weight of raw material is going to, and this year the competition of America as well as Germany has been very much missed both in London and markets “down under.” Xo doubt, the great development of the frozen mutton trade has been the mightiest factor in the crossbred avoo! trade, for whereas in ISSQ only 4tX) carcases of frozen mutton wore imported into England, last year Great- Britain received 12.980.000 sheep and lambs Now as every sheep must grow a fleece, the reader can clearly see how great and important is the trade in crossbred wools. We don't think for a moment that too much of this class is being grown providing tbe avenues of consumption are not interfered with by exorbitant tariffs and consumption cheeked by other untoward factors. At present' the trade.’is rather languishing, and no doubt even hero “bear” influence's are at work in order to effort the forthcoming sales in New Zealand and Buenos Ayres. RIVER PLATE WOOLS. Our latest advices both from South Africa and the River Plate are couched in better language than for the last two years, and there is going to he a very 'good clip from hotli countries. The incoming mail brings ns a - cry interest-

ing details about tlie movement of th last clip in South America, togethe with the information that from shoe districts accounts - are very favorabl from every point of view, so much & that mnny in Buenos Ayres an anticipating a substantial increase ii the new clip, but when tho mail left i was too early to venture on a' forecast Lambing returns were much bette: than for many years, while the genera condition of the flocks could hardly In better. The River Plate wool yea: finishes on Sept 30th, and as the mai is dated September 29th it can be takei for granted that the season avos pracurally finished, The following particu Jars show the shipments from Octobe: Ist, 1910. to September 28th, 1911: Owing to a very good lambing th< agricultural authorities are of the opinion that the sheep stocks of the Rivei Plate are larger than two years agf when drought played sad havoc. the same time we hardly think that th< number of sheep being depastured i: equal to 1895 when they were returnee at 74 milior. head. OUTLOOK FOR CROSSBREDS. So far there has been no materia! move made at the crossbred end of tho industry in order to effect the opening of the New Zealand and Buenos Ayres season, hut all the same prices are onij on the weak side. It must be a heart breaking job for these who bought cross, brads at the recent series of LomJou sales in the hope of turning same tc good account on Bradford Exchange. An average IQ’s prepared top is obtainable at 13d, and some say less. When greasy fleece was costing 9d foi 44)'s in London what profit can there be out of sueli transactions? Already quotations liave been made of lid bj those engaged in the South American trade and agents here representing Buenos Ayres firms are offering to execute orders on a basis of lid clean scon ret lor 40’s wool landed at Liverpool. This wil' mean 13pi in the top, so it is hardly any good at present. Brad fore is hoping to buy woo] to bring in 40'? at a shilling, so it looks as if price- 5 must further drop at the sources oJ supply. It is well-known that 46’: carded tops have been sold at I3'd. anc prepared 1 -hi: in fact, it is difficult t< say. what crossbred tops are worth a 1 a time like the present, quotations being more or less nominal. There is n< change in merinos, except that importers are offering d-l’s top for Jar.uan .!-livery at 24 1 d.