Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1889. THE PROSPECT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume VII, Issue 245, 8 March 1889, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1889. THE PROSPECT.

# The hemp-millers meeting last Saturday night was one of very much moment to the district. We think the best thanks of the millers and the settlers i» due to Mr Gardner for so forcibly calling their attention to the mannei in which freights had been, month by month, increased upon them, and also, by showing them what steps it was so much to their interest to take, to save such unnecessary outlay. At the first glance at the facts stated by Mr Gardner, it seems to be absurd that the associated shipping companies should have thought that the hempmillers would pay a freight of £5 15s 6d a ton, when outward freights from Australia are only £2 5s a ton. But here the old adage is shown in its fullest force, that >( when a house is divided against itself," it cannot stand, and the companies noticing the feverish haste of the millers to rush their fibre away, one contending for space against another, have naturally said to themselves " these men know not what they do," and have charged what freights they chose. Last Saturday's meeting should have sounded the death-knell of such tactics as these, and with the startling facts brought out during the discussion, the millers will be sadly wanting in business qualities if they do not rally round the committee appointed, and secure its being a thoroughly representative one of their interests. The sums involved in the success of the negotiations, though a few shillings per ton, yet when totalled up on the estimated output of. the Foxton district alone, for a twelvemonth, means a saving of £10,000. The calculations, we are given to understand, were made on the output of thirty mills, so that putting, the case more individually, the invitation was given to each mill to try and save £300 a year. Though the profi s made surpass the expectation of those who first entered into the business, yet saving £300 a year is well worth the y small sacrifice of a little time and a little money, and justifies the proposal that an equitable amount should be paid by each I

null towards the necessary expenses of organisation the procuring of ""Nation. The flax industry ie one whioh, above all others, makes the public a sharer in the interests of the Wdrlers. tii iid dttier inaniifddture is there such a minute siibdivivision of the spoils as in flax dressing. Gfhe whote process, of preparation and gathering rid ws it tiaflSfaig thrdugH the hands of the labourer, and for every ton of flax produced, a sum of ten pounds is spent in wages, and another two 1 pdunds is spent in trades outside those employ ed\ a l l file mill, so thai we may fairly state ihai the output of 8000 tons of dressed fibre represents to the millers an income of £240,000 a year, of which amount of necessity they are bound to circulate £96,000 in wages, without taking into consideration any outlay they may choose to make in the district in acquiring freeholds, or for their pleasure or convenience. This industry, if permanent, is better for the district and colony than any goldfield ever discovered, as the harvest is never consumed, but is returned, within periods, without labor and without sowing. It is always satisfactory that the pluck and energy of those who open up new branches of occupation should meet with due reward, but it is still exceedingly gratifying to know that the millers could accept a drop in their income of the startling amount of £100,000, without occasioning them to close their mills or to expend one shilling less than they do now in labor. These are facts which justify the very strong feeling that the industry now in full swing in our midst, is likely to be more permanent, than some like to think, but that is no reason why, whilst times are good, that measures which would tend to decrease expenses, obtain better prices for material produced, and more certain information, should be neglected. We have previously urged the formation of a Hemp millers Association, and our opinion was strongly endorsed by Mx Booth, a visitor to the meeting, who is the president of the Canterbury Industrial Association, and who therefore fully understood the advantages to be gained by combination. We trust that the committee formed will work with energy and ascertain the best steps to take to secure such a result.