GRADING OF TOW.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 23 November 1907, Page 4

GRADING OF TOW.

A mnch-discussed subject among flaxmillers at the present time is the necessity of tow being graded. There is now absolutely no check upon the quality of the tow exported, with the result that the trade is being imperilled by the methods of “ careless ” millerr. The point is that many millers bale the tow without shaking it, with the result, so it is declared, that nearly half the material exported contains a large percentage of mill dust. The cost to the Home trade is thereby doubled, and with the freight of /s is practically that of the fibre itself. The position is accentuated by the fact that rope and twine makers in the Dominion, who know the mills and can check quality on the spot, purchase largely of the properly baled tow and thus leave practically the whole of the fraudulent article to be exported. It should also be pointed out that in the absence of any check on quality the careful miller gets the same value for his good article as the careless miller ol tains for his adulterated product. And if the latter is allowed to continue his short-sighted tactics—foisting on the foreign merchant unshaken tow for a good article —the trade must be killed. Unfortunately the resulting loss would fall on the good as well as the bad miller. The effect generally of the outlet on foreign markets being closed to the flaxtnillihg by-pro-duct would be disastrous in the present state of the hemp market. Immediate action is imperative. Flaxmillers’ associations should impress upon the authorities the gravity of the position. Exchange.