H.—3o.

Slipe Wool.

SCOURING OF WOOL. The arrangements entered into with the United Kingdom Government for the 1940-41 season provided for the scouring of up to 130,000 bales at a cost of 1 , 7 ( .-d. per pound greasy basis. The allowance of per pound covers transport to scouring-works, scouring charges, and delivery of the scoured wool to the point of f.o.b. ocean steamer. Under the contract 135,296 bales of wool were allotted for scouring up to 30th June, 1911. SURVEY OP WOOL SEASON. Following upon an exceptionally favourable winter, with suitable climatic conditions following, the wool-clip for the 1940-41 season showed an increase in quantity over the 1939-40 season of over 10 per cent. Messrs. Dalgety and Co.'s figures for the past three seasons show comparative production as follows: — Ist July to 30th June, 1940-41. 1939-40. 1938-39. Bales. Bales. Bales. Greasy .. .. .. ..800,006 740,622 803,831 Slipe .. .. •• •• 140,780 120,990 117,290 940,786 861,612 921,121 SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS. The decreased amount of shipping space available has resulted in smaller shipments of wool to the United Kingdom. Shipments to other countries have increased, but the total shipments are 186,363 bales less than the quantity recorded in last year's report. This does not fully represent the position, as last year's figures did not cover a complete twelve months' period. A system of priorities was in operation for shipments to the United Kingdom, under which wools most suitable for military purposes were shipped first. The position resulting is that at 30th June, 1941, stocks of wool unshipped or held for scouring were 315,704 bales, compared with 23,556 bales at 30th June, 1940. DESTINATION OF WOOL EXPORTS. As mentioned in last year's report, the United Kingdom Wool Control released certain quantities of wool for shipment to France, Canada, Australia, and India. With the collapse of France, shipments of wool to that country ceased, but during the 1940-41 season shipments to Canada, Australia, and India have increased, mostly for military requirements. During the season certain quantities were released for shipment to the United States and also to Greece. The selection of wool for shipment to destinations other than the United Kingdom is made by the Government appraisers in terms of their contract with the New Zealand Government. When orders are received a New Zealand agent is nominated by the firm placing the order, and the agent advises the Marketing Department in regard to the appraisal types required. This information as to typos is then given to the Government appraisers, and special wools suitable to the market concerned are selected by the appraisers most suitable for selecting in fulfilment of these orders.

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*™" f $i ale to Total Appraisals. Appeal Centre. _ " _ Bales. Net Pounde. Bales. Net Pounds. liales. Net Pounds. Appraisal Value. £ S. (J, Auckland .. .. 21,469 6,845,998 .. .. 21,469 6,845,998 465,345 6 .1 Opua .. .. .. 908 279,367 .. .. 908 279,367 18,100 4 6 Tokomaru Bay . . .. 721 196,767 .. .. 721 196,767 11,686 16 5 Gisborne .. .. 3,946 1,328,454 .. .. 3,946 1,328,454 84,793 15 11 Wairoa .. .. 1,668 490,503 .. .. 1,668 490,503 31,661 16 11 Napier .. .. 13,401 4,527,981 .. .. 13,401 4,527,981 311,346 10 8 Wanganui .. .. 6,595 2,220,806 .. .. 6,595 2,220,806 149,995 9 11 New Plymouth .. .. 2,240 853,823 .. .. 2,240 853,823 55,004 14 3 Wellington .. .. 19,429 6,646,472 .. .. 19,429 6,646,472 470,998 16 11 Nelson .. .. 2 480 .. 2 480 29 9 3 Blenheim .. .. 2,804 914,168 .. .. 2,804 914,168 60,504 12 0 Christchurch .. .. 17,146 5,637,534 56 18,939 17,202 5,056,473 397,909 9 10 Timaru .. .. 18,041 5,683,934 74 26,233 18,115 5,710,167 409,302 16 1 Oamaru .. .. 5,772 1,705,708 '282 85,777 6,054 1,791,485 124,927 16 6 Dunedin .. .. 8,388 2,792,523 110 39,296 8,498 2,831,819 199,842 9 6 Invercargill .. .. 17,728 6,365,385 .. .. .17,728 6,365,385 468,203 17 10 Total .. .. 140,258 40,489,903 522 170,245 140,780 40,060,148 3,259,654 2 7 Additional (final) payment .. .. .. .. .. .. .. • .. 41,448 17 10 3,301,103 0 5