N. Z. Hemp.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 24 January 1891, Page 3

N. Z. Hemp.

■ '■- ' ■» * By the last mail from San Fran cisco, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company received a report from Messrs Parrott and Co., of that city, dated December 9, upon the condition of the New Zealand flax received by them, and the opinions of experts upon the same. — " Flaxmiilers* Associations, etc : We are much obliged for these communications. We do not see why flax should not be prepared and baled by each miller, but the object of the association should be to establish uniform standards, and each member should be pledged to abide by them. An official inspection could take place at the port of shipment), and a certificate of grade be furnished by the inspector, which wou d, in our opinion, answer for the present, and •till be an improvement. If all millers would understand tbat the irregularity in packing, practised, perhaps by a few, reflects on the article generally, they would try to avoid it, and use their influence with others to reach the same objeot. We note what Messrs Langley say re--1 garding the weak fibres of whioh we complained. It seems, however, mat" it was not owing to poor milling, as this would have been pointed out to us. The first complaints came to us from the principal cordage company works here by a foreman, who stated that some of your marks had shown an extraordinary weak fibre, and that the rope and twine made from it would break very easily. More serious complaints came fcom the office, caused by customers, who refused to use any more rope and twine made of Manila and New Zealand, as they found it ; too weak, and that they would rather pay the higher price for pure Manila. Aa we had been previously informed by the foreman, we understood these complaints. The result has been a reduction in the case of the cordage company referred tc ; it is fully one* half. We have had similar in timations from the East, and, in the in crest of the trade, every shipper should bear tbii in mind. Good oolour is very deairabie, but cleanliness (no straw, etc.) and strength are of more importance." — New Zeatwd Herald.