NEW ZEALAND HEMP

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11501, 6 February 1903, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND HEMP

REPORT BY THE PRODUCE COMMISSIONER.

(PKESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, February 5. In a report to the Agent-General, under date 24th December, Mr H. C. Cameron, Produce Commissioner in London, lias the following to say regarding New Zealand hemp: — , "My attention has recently been called to the fact that although New Zealand hemp is now coming Homo graded by Government inspectors, and having a certificate of quality attached to each bale, there have been several claims made by buyers on account of inferiority of quality. On making enquiry into this matter, however, I rind that there is not a great cause for uneasiness. In the hemp trade, as with mutton, there are parties to be met with who make claims on the chance of an allowance being obtained. There is not always just cause for a demand made for arbitration.* lam pleased to be able to report from the enquiries I have mode that in several instances the claims put forward for a rebate in the price, on the ground of New Zealand hemp being inferior to the quality guaranteed by the grader's certificate, have been disallowed by the arbitrator. As the costs of the arbitration have to be paid by the party ugainst whcm the award is made, the purchasers making unreasonable claims have been mulcted in expenses. This should have some effect in deterring such claims being put forward. "In one or two instances I have heard that an allowance of 5s per ton has been granted. This amount being so small certainly seems to me to indicate the character of the fault in the grading as very slight. Speaking generally, the grading has been so far satisfactory, and while as yet buyers do not rely upon it when making purchases to the same extent as they do in the case of dairy produce, I feel satisfied that once the reliability of the grader certificate is established ' business transactions will be greatly facilitated by it.