HOP INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 444, 1 March 1909, Page 7

HOP INDUSTRY.

IN A CRITICAL CONDITION. (Br TEI.EUItANI-IMtESS ASSOCIATION —COI'TIUGUT.) (Rec. February 28, 4.44 p.m.) London, February 27. Lord Carrington, President of the Board of Agriculture, stated in the llouso of Lords that tho Government, recognising that tho hop industry was in a critical condition, was prepared to reintroduce tho Hop Bill. This would in no wise touch tho question of protection. SELECT COMMITTEE'S REPORT. A Select Committee on tho llop Industry reported in July, 1903. Tho report stated that tho consumption of hops in Britain was declining, owing partly to the reduced • consumption of beer, and partly to tho use of a smaller proportion of hops employed in browing than was formerly the case. British hops form rather more than 70 per cent.' and foreign hops less than 30 per cent, of the total quantity used, and "the conclusion is irresistible that there is no material falling off in tho homo production of hops," though tho land under hops has been reduced in the last 20 years by nearly one-third. The explanation is tho increased yield per aero in tho last 13 years. Tho foreign imports have shown no tendency to increaso during the last 30 years; though there was an exceptional importation in 190S, which it was alleged was due to tho hope of scccuring the advantages which would accrue if a duty were imposed. Many witnesses urged the imposition of u duty of 40s. per cent, on imported hops; but tho committee were not satisfied that any special measures directed against foreign hops wero called for. They held that tho extent to which foreign hops wero used in the brewing of beer should ho indicated on the cask or bottlo in which tho beer was sold.