THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3782, 9 January 1908, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

A meeting of the executive of the N. Z. Flaxmillers’ Association was held at Palmerston yesterday, when a report was received from Messrs R. T. Bell, ex-Govern-ment grader, Bulls, and Jas. Tennant, flaxmiller, Oroua Bridge, on the condition oi flax in the grading stores at Wellington, The report, which was considered to be highly satisfactory stated they inspected almost every hank handled by the graders. During the two days about 400 bales were graded, representing a sample of the work of at least twenty _ mills, mostly of the Manawatu district, and we are pleased to state about 75 per cent, of this quantity graded good fair, many lines point ing just under fine quality; in fact, it only wanted a little better colour to put these parcels into the higher grade. The fair quality which came under our notice consisted mostly of high pointed stuff. Excepting two small lines, the “common” grade was conspicuous by its absence. The stripping generally, especially that from Manawatu mills, was very uniform and creditable, and after wbat we Pave seen we have no hesitation in saying that it the same care was given in other departments, especially paddocking, the percentage of “fair” quality would be further reduced, providing the grading standard be maintained by the graders. We noticed in a number of instances that the press hanks in some of the bales were exceptionally large, making it almost impossible to handle them. This little defect is easily remedied, and we would suggest that the millers give this matter their immediate attention. Some of the hemp that had been reconditioned from the Turakina fire came under our notice ; it was of good quality, and faithfully repacked. At the time of our visit to the sheds there were some hundreds of tons of hemp stored there, but we could not find any traces of the very inferior hemp complained of in the N.Z. Times of December 10th.

The matter of standard hanks was also fully discussed, and we. suggested to Mr Ritchie that two hanks of eacli grade, showing the highest and lowest points in each grade, be exhibited in glass showcases in the grading stores throughout the Dominion ; these hanks to represent the graders’ standards and to be spread open sufficiently in the show-cases to allow inspection without handling. As to securing samples of all grades of Manila fibre for exhibition in the grading stores, the Secretary is willing to move in this matter, as well as other wants, as soon as the Association represents them to him. We also took it upon ourselves to point out to Mr Ritchie, on three different occasions, that the present bale lashing being used was very reasonable, being neat in appearance and quite good enough for the purpose it served ; but we regret that our statements and reasoning bad 110 effect, being told that the regulations concerning bale-lashing could not be altered. In conclusion we are of opinion that periodical visits to grading stores by millers carrying the authority of the Association will have a beneficial effect as regards the grading, as well as being an education to the millers themselves.