HEMP MILLERS MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume VII, Issue 244, 5 March 1889, Page 2

HEMP MILLERS MEETING.

The meeting of hemp millers convened by Mr Gardner was held on Saturday night, in the Temperance liall, and was nu-nerously attended, both by Millers and those interested in the industry in other ways. Amongst the visitors were, Mr Booth of Booth Macdooald & Co of Canterbury, and Mr Gale, representing the firm of Johnston & Co, Wellington. Mr H. Barber was voted to the chair, and in a few well chosen re marks called on Mr Gardner to first address the meeting. Mr Gardner said that he felt taken aback by seeing his name attached to the advertisement, of course some one had to taki the initiative, and he had directed it to be inserted, but he was not the oldest miller in the district as that distinction belonged to Mr Rutherford, who had proceeded ' him in the erection of a mill by a few days, but he believed that he was the first to Bee the capabalitiei of the Foxton district, and he had maie a visit of inspection prior to Mr Rutherford starting. The meeting was convened because he believed that they had a grievance which united action could get removed. They had now what was practioally only one shipping company trading to New Zealand, which was com-po-edofthe Shaw-Savill, the N Z. Shipping Co, and the Tyser line. When these companies were competing the ireights came down, but since the conbination the freights had been enormously increased, Flax previously was Bant to England at 85s a ton by anting vessels, whilst now the freights were 110s with 5 per cent added which equalled £5 15s 6d a ton. Every pound sav«;d in freight meant a pound iv the pocket of the mill owners, and thus represented a pound to the district. If united action was agreed on, pressure cdnld be brought to bear on the shipping companies on the homeward Ireights. la this Koxtou district we could export 8000 tons of flax per annum, and by enlisting the sympathies of those connected with th« trade all over New Zealand, an immense lever to induce a reduction would have beeu obtained. He believed there was much opposite in Wellington to this Shipping ring by the importers, and those not interested in any of the shipping companies, could influence 12,000 tons of outward freights. To show how excessive the charges were now, he mentioned that on the 19 September 1887 the freight Wy the " Waimati " outwards was 27s a ton, by the "Pleione" 80s a ton les9 a rebate. On the 19 June 1888 when the Tyser line started, the freights were quoted at 22s 6-1 a ton, and on the 8 November 1883 the freights by the " Euterpe " «vere 85s a ton. He had received a lett r diit^d 11 January of this year, in which rough measure* ment rate was quoted at 455, and his correspondents stated that the Association was very firm and independent, and the Brokers were expecting to have " royal times " He next called attention to the Danedin exhibition, and asserted that it was vo w known it was bound to be a great success. He thought the flax slioii (1 be exhibited, and the millers lire must not be belli n I hand. In preparing the fibre for exhibition a healthy rivalry would be created, which might tend to the quality all through being greatly improved. Among oth-r questions to D 3 disenssed he might mention that it would be proposed to form a committee who might arrange for a uniformity in the size of bales, as the shipping companies had pointed out that such a course would enable easier stowage, and what was a gain to the shipping would be a gain to themselves. Mr Gkiwer had also asked him to bring before the meeting .the ne>d there wag for a medical man, and he had suggested an advertisement being inserted in the Wellington papers inviting one to come here, to be signed by himself on behalf of the millers. He pointed out that the need of one was great, and as yet the millers were not aware of the risks they ran. He thereforemoved thef olio wing reso lution : — " That the mill-owners present at this meeting, representing an export of— —tons, request Mr <Hrda«r to raak* such ukttaam to m

ihipping firm or firms as will secure I oi i reduction iv freight on hemp to tc England, and to report the result to b a, meeting of the millers to be here- vi after called." si Mr Giesen seconded the resolution .\£ A short informal discussion thenj tl followed, in the course of which o Mr Gale stated that his firm fe't 8 very strongly in the matter of the in- n creases in the outward freights, d which in certain cases were raised a 25, 60, afld 60 per cent. He con- i nidered the raising of the freight on a flax quite unjustifiable. He had t made inquiries aa to freights on the Australian const and found that flax 1 could be shipped from there at 45s 8 per ton, this with freight to Australia i would mean a cost of 85s to 90s a 1 ton. He believed that if the Com- i panics were approached the freight J would be reduced to 90s. 1 Mr Giesen thought that the Com- < panics might want to know the actual i quantity that could be guaranteed. 1 The resolution was then put and ' carried unanimously. ] Before another resolution was < moved a conversation was originated < by Mr Wilson, of Bulls, concerning < the dressing of the fibre, and Mr 1 Gale stated that the flax must be ' properly dried. Mr Gardner stated that too much had been said about flax heating, as it will not fire or heat if damped. No one ever heard of a flax ship catching fire from heating of cargo, as American cotton ships had been known to do. Mr Butherford stated that he had had flax on board the Hero when she was scuttled at Fort Underwood, and when the bales were recovered there was no heat in them, though the wool was almost on fire. He had baen in the trade for 20 years and had never known properly dressed flax to heat. Mr Davidson moved the following resolution: — "That a committee be formed to take into consideration the following The proper representation at the Dunedin Exhibition. — The uniformity of hours and wages. Uniformity in size of bales. — That the Committee be empowered to levy a — rate per stripper to meet any necessary expenses to carry out the objects of this resolution, and such others as may arise from time to time. «**" Mr Bogers thought that only the question of freights should be con^. sidered, leaving these other, questioni to another night. ~ "•, Mr T. P. Williams seconded the. resolution, and thought there was no" time like the present. They had all been talking about united action,, and now these very people were talking against it. He thoroughly understood how uniformity of bales would reduce freights. He believed 1 in sending exhibit* to Dunedin, as it would create an interest in the district in pieparing the same. He believed in it putting them up to many a wrinkle. Mr Davidson would have liked to alter the resolution as to wages, lie spoke feelingly on the subject, however, as he had got a very good set of men at his mill, but otHeY millers were trying to get his hands away. One miller had written to a man having a contract from him, which had induced the man to throw up his work. What remedy had he against him. Owners should work together, rather than cut one another's throats. He believed in giving good wages, but not *n. trying, to take men^ away. Mr Williams said that other owners should gree not to employ any man who worked at the mill of an owner who would act thus. Mr Wilson thought it just as well that every- man and mill-owner remained as they were, and moved' as an amendment, '•That tE?>(rofc!s uniformity of wages be excised." Mr Gardner seconded the amend ment, which was put to the meeting and carried. ; —^ | Mr Davidson desired it to be un- j \ derstood when moving the resolution, that he did not desire cheap labor. The resolution, as amended, was ! put and carried. _J 1 Mr Gardner proposed, and Mr Butherford seconded, "That the \ Committee consist of Messrs Davidson, Williams, Bobinson. Carter, Daniel, Gardner, Byan, and Bussell, : with power to add to their number. 1 — Carried. «* 1 The question about obtaining the 1 services of a doctor was referred to the < "ommittee to deal with. Mr Gardner stated that one of the 1 leading manufacturers from Canter- ! bury, Mr Booth, was present, and as he had been visiting many of the > mills, the meeting would most pro- ; bably like to hear what impressions he had formed. Mr Booth stated that it was not > very easy to give the result of a two • or three days tour at once, more esi pecially as he was a stranger to all. l He tool: an interest in the industry i on the grounds, that every New Zea- j i land colonist should be interested in j > what affected the colony at large. r He was also interested because he . was a local manufacturer, and if the ■ industry thrived it must be to his • advantage. He came to Foxton to [ see the flax drening in its most vig- . orous aspect, and had been most » kindly received by all. What \ struck him most in the district was the wonderful extent of country with : the raw material, and he knew of no ? "other part with so large an area of i flai. No part of the world grows > such a fibrous plant, with such a > strong growth, without ftalfitatioii,

; 10 any bo accessible, a« it is at Fox* >n. The reputation of the flax had een gained by care in the working sed during 20 years. Another . diking feature was the growth of stftndustry, he had been informed txat 8 or 9 months ago there was no utput, and now it totalled up to 000 tons per annum. The suddenLess of the rise was an element of [anger, and though Mr Butherford n old miller was not likely to fall nto the danger, the large demand md high price, might lead many not o turn out flax properly dressed, by pant of attention to many particuars. What is worth doing at all ihouldbe worth doing well. The ibremustbe made to the level of lemp, sissal and the other crop* joing into English market; The Engineer's duty was to provide better means of dressing than used it present, and he hoped to improve upon the machine now used. Millers tiowever seemed satisfied with samples turned out, and he had compared samples and thought too much iependence was placed on the itripper. In Canterbury they pro- . iuced a better sample, and he thought they stripped too hard here. The washing was not as it should be and the colour in cases was dot good. This scutchers in use down south he thought were better than those in use here. He considered: combination a step in the right direction, but he would have gone further, and proposed a flax dresser's association, as all interests tended in one direction Combination was a desirable thing in all trades. Wellington people he thought were not taking up the Dunedin exhibition as they were in Canterbury. To secure success they were prepared to expend . £1500 to £2000 and proposed to do the best they could. As people . would come from all parts he thought millers should make special efforts and have a display regardless of expense. A vote of thanks to Mr Gardner and the Chairman terminated this very successful meeting.