H.—3B

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Australian Free Wool. Australian wool of the 1920-21 and 1921-22 clips has sold freely during the past twelve months, the latest figures being as follows : — Sold by auction in London from the Ist July, 1921, to the 30t,b June, Bales. 1922 •.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 312,094 Sold by auction in Australia from the Ist July, 1921, to the 30th June, 1922 .. .. .. .." .. .. .. 1,510,702 Total .. .. .. .. .. 1,822,796 The disposals of Australian and New Zealand wool combined for the twelve months from the Ist July, 1921, to the 30th June, 1922, have been as follows : — Australian. Now Zealand. Total. Bales. Bales. Bales. B.A.W.R.A. .. .. .. .. .. .. 701,844 309.753 1.011.597 Free .. .. .. .. .. 1,822,796 710,688 2,533,484 Total for twelve, months .. .. .. 2,524,640 1,020,441 3,545,081. The actual production of Australian and Now Zealand wool, including slipes, for the twelve months ended the 30th June, 1922, is estimated as follows :— Bales. Australia .. .. *.. . .. .. .. .. 1,850,000 New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 575,000 Total .. .. .. .. .. 2,425,000 So that the sales of Australian and New Zealand wool during the twelve months have been approximately 1,120,000 bales more than the year's production ; or, put in another way, the sales have been 46 per cent, greater than the production. The operations of the Committee have been carried out for a total expenditure to the 30th June, 1922, of £155 12s. 6d., the members acting in an entirely honorary capacity. TOTAL DISBURSEMENT'S. The total payments by the Department for the fifteen months ended the 30th June, 1922, amount to £2,008,863, bringing the total payments by the Department from its inception on the 3rd March, 1915, to the 30th June, 1922, up to £160,585,507. STAFF. As the various branches of the Department have completed their work the staff has been reduced to the bare minimum required for effecting shipment of the balance of stocks and for the final compilation of accounts. I have, &c, T. R. Lees, Controller. The Hon. the Minister in Charge, Department of Imperial Government Supplies.

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2—H. 38.