THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 450, 6 February 1909, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

[to the, editor,]

Sir, —In a certain zoo two members of the monkey tribe were closeted in a big cage-—a big baboon and a little fellow belonging to a,smaller species. The children delighted to watch the antics of “little Tim,” and rewarded him with nuts, etc., which the greedy big baboon would rudely seize and gobble up. The midget barely existed, while the baboon waxed fat. The big fellow, through a certain set of circumstances, dominated the situation, and if “ little Tim ” complained, would threaten to make him “ eat grass.” After a time the keeper’s eyes were opened to the unequal state of affairs, and he removed the big monopolist—much to the delight of the little children. Tim then had given him for company five or six companions of a like age and size, and their cage was a most attractive spot to sightseers. The green blade monopolist and miller provide, sir,- a striking parallel to the baboon and little Tim. How long will it be before the keeper, i.e., the Government, removes the “ big baboou,” acquires the flax areas, and assists millers to obtain their own blocks of flax laud, making it compulsory for them to drain and cultivate. If that were done, I contend that three times the present number of mills would be woikiug in the vicinity of Foxton. If, as one of your correspondents contend, we can never hope to compete against Manila, let the Government acquire these ‘estates for closer settlement purposes, and thereby bring greater prosperity to the centres interested. —Yours etc., Glory Hole.