THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1057, 30 January 1913, Page 4

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Although a considerable increase has taken place in the amount of phormium milled throughout the Dominion, the average quality is unsatisfactory, states Mr W. H. Ferris in his monthly report. This is not entirely due to bad milling, but is more the result, particularly in the Mauawatu, of the high percentage of diseased leaf in the swamps. This quite prevents the miller, even where every care is taken in the milling process, turning out anything but a high-point fair grade. A heavy loss is thus occasioned to some millers not only by reason of their having to be content with a lower grade, but owing to the fact that they are thus unable to fulfil goodfair contracts entered into when market values were at their maximum.

Generally there is little to complain about in regard to the way the hemp is being milled, except in the case of mills which have been recommissioned this season in the Auckland district. Herein is to be seen the drawback to high market values. It will pay millers with present prices to turn out a fair-grade article, whereas with a market like that of last season the milling of good-fair alone was profitable.

Westland and Mailborough millers are turning out an excellent quality hemp. They have a good healthy leaf to work with, and are milling it to advantage. High-pointed good fair and fine is being turned out by the majority of millers. Southland millers have also a good conditioned leaf to work with, but are aiming at highpointed fair to meet contracts. The Southland leaf is of a short, stiff nature, the fibre being strong but on the short side, and this want of length is the chief weakness in the fibre coming forward for shipment from that quarter. Altogether sixty mills are in operation in Otago this year, against about fifteen which operated last season. The big increase apparent in the output ol hemp from the different districts of the Dominion does not represent the maximum production of this season, as a considerable development in milling operations is expected :o take place this month, a number of new mills being now ready to commence operations.

Tow is coming to hand in only a fair condition. Although there is a good demand for it at a very payable price, many millers are not taking the care in the preparation ot this by-product they should, while iu other cases the poorer quality coming forward is due to the inferior leaf with which millers, particularly in the Manawatu, have to work.