Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1899 Mr Holmes' Mission.

Manawatu Herald, 13 April 1899, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1899 Mr Holmes' Mission.

Though Mr John Holmes has returned to the colony some months, his Report to the Government has only been published quite recently. The matter contained in this Report is both interesting and useful, but as to the primary object of his visit round the world, that of pushing the flax trade, the results have not been quite so satisfactory as was hoped for. There is one thing millers must take to heart and that is the preparation of the fibre under as nearly equal classification as is possible. From, all quarters is Mr Holmes advised to secure the adoption of a general grading system. When visiting Messrs Forsyth & Co.'s works at Sydney they pointed out to him several brands varying in colour and preparation although bought under the same classification, and shipped from the one port. In the ropeworks in Adelaide the mill-managers objected to the " towy " appearance of the fibre, due to want of care in " stripping " the green blade. Complaints were also made as to the lack of uniformity in colour and preparation which were endorsed by pointing out two lots of the same brand of hemp bought at the same time, but shipped from New Zealand at intervals of one month. The leading manufacturers at Leith suggested the advisableness of regular grading, classification, and the establishment of a standard weight for each bale. The Dundee cordage-makers complained of the variation in the quality of the fibre. Reading the Report through every miller will see that the classification difficulty is one of the most important objects to be overcome before the fibre comes into liking. It is purchased when fibre is dear, but is

relinquished when prices fall, for, as Mr E. D. Ver Planck, of Boston, writes : "in making twine the chief object is to obtain a free-running clean fibre. Sisal is particularly so, and New Zealand fibre must be the same. New Zealand fibre will always be at some disadvantage over sisal 6wing to the great distance of the producing country, and to offset this and other objections to the New Zealand fibre, I think the following are the main points to be observed : First, a uniform, reliable, and responsible grading of the hemp, so that buyers can always count upon getting what they buy'; second, the production in large quantities of a hemp of good colour, free from straw, and perfectly free from tow. The above points, if rigidly observed by the manufacturers of hemp, would produce confidence in this country, and allow the manufacturers to go to the trouble and expense of introducing and establishing brands of rope and twine for which they could always be certain of having a reliable and abundant supply of raw material."

As regards the size and weight of bales we find the general opinion is that the bales should be between 3£ cwt. each and in one uniform size, as the other fibres are shipped in this fashion and they a^e sold by bales instead of tons, and by being of an uniform weight the expenses in landing and weighing at the port of discharge is saved, as in the case of manila hemp only ten per cent, of the parcel is weighed for average, and the invoice based upon the result. Mr Holmes, in reporting on the Manila and Sisal fibres says : " In view ot the small percentage of clean fibre obtained from the sisal plant, and the length of time occupied in its preparation, together with the heavy outlay for machinery and plant, I see no reason why New Zealand hemp should not be able to successfully compete with sisal in supplying the requirements of binder twine and cordage manufacturers. Notwithstanding the fact that both fibres were occasionally sold at very low figure?, it was contended that producers must net the following figures, c.i.f., London : Fair current manila, £23 per ton; sisal, £16 per ton ; and if these figures were maintained no large supply could be depended on. Like our own hemp, the increased production depends largely upon the improved prices obtained therefor. I also found that, although the supply of the two fibres had increased during the past ten years, the extension of trade in the manufacture of rope, cordage, and binder-twine had kept pace with the supply." We have given but a short precis of the Report, and will close with a paragraph from Mr Planck's letter which should be taken to heart by the millers of the colony — " New Zealand is now a secondary fibrs, used only when other fibres are scarce and high. It has always disappeared when sisal and manila were low. It should be able to remain in the markets at any and all prices. To-day, when all fibres are high, is the time for New Zealand producers to step forward and, with a su perior grade of hemp, command attention. The world is now using about all the sisal and manila produced in normal times, resulting in high prices. The war has shut off a large part of the manila production, and the time is most opportune for New Zealand to again enter the American market. It depends upon the New Zealand hempgrower whether or not his product is to again disappear entirely from the market with the return of low prices for sisal and manila.