Hemp Millers Meeting.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 3 November 1891, Page 2

Hemp Millers Meeting.

A meeting of hemp millers was held at Whyte's hotel on Saturday afternoon, which was well attended, to consider the circular issued by Mr Scales. Present:— Messrs R, Walden, Hopkirk, Carter, Tennant, Jenks, Pascals (2), Lind, Dudsen, Austin, W. G. Robinson, McMillan, Collins, Graham, Honore, Gardner and Carmody.

Mr Gardner was voted to the chair, He stated that the meeting was called to consider Mr Scales circular, and remarked upon the depression now being felt by millers. He thought however, that the "price had a great deal to do with such de» pression. The price, in one way was beyond control, being ruled by the quantity of fibre going on the London market. It had, however, been stated, that though flax was ofjr similar quality to what it was at thiP time contracts were made, now tha^ the price was lower in London, it was being rejected. Mr Scales, in his circular, had admitted as much. (The chairman here read the cun bular, which we published last week.) It was now for the meeting to consider what steps should be taken.

Mr Austin said that he was thankful to say that he had not had lately any flax rejected. He mentioned having ouce had 129 bales refused, which afterwards was sold in New York for £21. It could not have been very bad if it fetched that price months afterwards, and he would like to ask their opinion of the experience the man could have had who rejected it here? He would move " That because of the frequency of rejections of flax by the Wellington buyers, and the universally expressed dissatisfaction of the millers at such rejections this meeting adopts Mr Scale's suggestion to appoint some one to look after the flaxmillers interests in Wellington and to confer with him." (To which subsequently the following addition was made :— " And in case of dispute a referee, selected by both parties, whose decision shall be binding, and that all subsequent contracts be made on this basis."

Mv C. Pascal wanted to know how the difficulty of an expert was to be got over. Mr Scales was at the mercy of the buyers, they had only to say " accept " and he passed the flax, or " reject " and he rejected it. Mr Gardner thought that Mr Scales was a thoroughly honest man, but he had a difficult three-fold position to fill, as he acted as broker for the buyers, also for the sellers, and purchased also for himself. Mr K. Walden thought they had brought a good deal of the trouble upon themselves. He had sent 90 bales away and after 8 of them had been opened for his iuspection in Wellington, it was enough for him. It was bad flax, and it had been rejected because of the red blades and the fibre in the twist of the hanks not having been scutched. Mr L. Pascal thought nothing would be done until a case had been tried by law. He instanced a case where he had a stack of fibre and arranged to sell at £17 10s a ton. Half of this was sold at the figure, yet when prices fell, the other half, of the stack was rejected. f^ Mr C. Pascal wanted to knQwj where the difference in the price, between contract, and the sums paid for rejected bales went ? If the broker, retained it what conld be said harsh enough, of such conduct. Mr Collins mentioned that the report on his flax in the London market, showed clearly that there had been a defined system of grading. The Chairman said it was lcnown that he was an enthusiast on grading. He had sent copies of his suggestions to large houses in ,EngJand and AmMpa. Ho had jwsi revived

a reply from one of the largest houses i M New York, and in it the firm expressed their strong approval of the principles he proposed. Mr C. Pascal was donbtiul as to how the disinterestedness of the expert could be y -aranteed. He feared the buyers might get round him. Mr R. Walden suggested picking out two millers from the room and sending them down to Wellington, to examine the flax, and ascertain the reason f>r its rejection. If tho millers advised, let a law-suit bo entered into, and every miller sub- " scribe towards the cost. Mr Hopkirk thought the best way would be if the Government appointed an expert. The noxt best way was to send a man of their own to watch their interests. He seconded the resolution. Mr Carrnody suggested that the resolution should be put and carried, when other resolutions could follow. Mr Dudsen feared that a man sent down would be over-ruled. Be asked if ifc was considered that the contracts now in force were binding upon either buyers or producers ? This question brought forth a chorus of No's. The Chairman thought the time had arrived when a general contract •should be drawn up. The resolution was then put to the meeting and lost. Mr Carmody moved, " That the Government be requested to appoint an expert for the purpose of classing the flax, who will be impartial between producer and purchaser." The resolution was not seconded, but as members desired to catch the train, the Chairman put it to tho meeting, with the result that that also was not carried. Members having to leave by train, the meeting broke up without a single bit of business being transacted,

FOE SALE

TO BB LET.