THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 449, 16 January 1909, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Mr J. R. Stanseli on Royalties. A Strong Indictment. Speaking at the entertainment tendered to Mr Field M.P., at Levin last Wednesday, in reply to the toast of “Trade and Commerce, ” Mr J. R. Stanseli, of Shannon, is reported to have been connected with the more important industries of the Dominion for many years, said it was the royalty on flax which stifled the business and not the amount of wages paid out. He knew one flaxmiller who had paid out £3OOO in royalty during a period in which wages amounted to £6OOO. One miller had suicided because of the royalty he was compelled to pay ; while another man in a very short time had made .£32,000 by royalties. This was absolute robbery—a process of blood-sucking which ought to be put an end to. Mr Bartholomew, speaking at the same function, said in-regard to the hemp industry—that the cost .of labour had seriously affected it. Mr Field had made an honest attempt to induce the workers to assist to keep the industry alive by accepting slightly lower wages, and his honesty had been rewarded .by political scandal and falsehood. If Mr Field’s advice had been taken the slump in the industry to some extent might have been averted.