Report Furnished by Mr H. Austin to the Government and Flaxmillers.

Manawatu Herald, 29 September 1900, Page 2

Report Furnished by Mr H. Austin to the Government and Flaxmillers.

(Continued.) The following Report from information gained by a personal visit to the Philippine Islands in July last, by Mr H. Austin, has been handed to us for publication : — - TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE NEW ZEALAND FLAXMILLERS* ASSOCIATION. On the 1 8th of July the price of hemp in Manila was £35 per ton, but as the stock then in hand, viz., 173,840 bales cost the merchants from £34 to £38 per ton they refused to sell. Consequently prices have hardened, and on the 30th of July the quotation was £39 per ton for fair current. Of course the above figures show a big reduction compared with the prices ruling at the end of last year, but this is accounted for by the fact; that a large, quantity of hemp + hat had been accumulating during the war came forward as soon as the ports were opened (to the great surprise of the merchants) thus glutting the market, and bringing down the price to its present standard. y Since the Americans have had control they have imposed an export duty of 2s per ton on all hemp exported. The local consumption of hemp in Manila is comparatively small, and there being no Cordage Company, all hemp with but a very small quantity for local consumption is exported. The following table of statistics will show the magnitude of the hemp business also the Islands where it is principally produced. The immediate prospects of the New Zealand hemp industry depends largaly on the quantity of Manila hemp pro* duced. During an interview with the largest consumers of New Zealand hemp in Sydney, the manager informed me that , it' they (the manufacturers) could depend on obtaining a standard quality they could profitably use even double the quantity of our hemp. One of the Wellington merchants also stated that a large American firm of good standing said they were prepared to take the whole of the output of New Zealand hemp for years to come, the most of which would be used I in the manufacture of binder-twine, providing they could obtain a standard quality and the price did not exceed .. that of Sisal hemp. - J^ In conclusion, I feel confident that the New Zealand H,emp industry can he made a permanent one, at a payable price by a thorough system of grading of all New Zealand hemps for export. This would be the means of establishing certain standards of qualities, and thereby increase the demand. Cpmparative Statement of exports of^j. . Manila and Phormium Tenax tor the last ten years : —

Tonß of Tons of Value of Manila P. Tenax P. Tenax 1890 63,268 21,158 £881,789 1891 79,443 16,809 £281,514 1892 98.813 12,703 £214,542 1893 80.18T 12.587: £219,875 1894 . 99.442 4.677 £66.256 1895 104,035 1,806 £21040 1896 95,737 2,968 £32,985 1897 112,797 2,769 £30.674 1898 99,075 4,850 £74,556 1999 75,092 10,371 £184,411 To June 30,1900 35,851 10,726 £242,336 MANILA. Slock on Ist January, 1900 143 tons Received to 30 Jane, 1900 57.693 tons Tota's, 57,836 tons Exported to Great Britain . . 23,050 tons U.S. America . . 7.838 tons California .. ... 1,9*3 tons Austra'ia .. .. 1,431 tons Other parts .. 1,713 tons Local Consumption 112 tons Stock on hand 30th June, 21,730 tons. (Concluded.)