THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1154, 4 October 1913, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

LABOUR REPORT.

Reporting to the Labour Department upon matters receiving the attention of the Palmerston North district office of the Depart, ment for the year ending March 31st, 1913, Mr W. J. Culver, Inspector of Factories and Awards, states that the .year had been a very satisfactory one to both employers and employed. Referring to flaxmilling, the Inspector says Probably the most important industry affecting the Manawatu was flaxmilliug. The following opinion has been expressed by both employers and workers, and might therefore be said to be a true report on the state of that industry. The hemp markets throughout the world had seen a substantial increase in prices. For that reason the industry had shown renewed activity. Although it was almost impossible to predict whether this hardening of the market was going to be maintained, yet the prospects certainly pointed to the likelihood of the present price ruling for another year. In consequence of the improved appearance of the markets, many flax areas had changed hands. Probably at no other time in the history of the industry had there been such a demand for good flax swamps at prices which should give satisfaction to the vendors. The increased market prices and activity of the industry bad resulted in many workers obtaining higher rates of wages than the minimum prescribed by the award. Labour throughout the season had been able to cope with the Increased production, the supply generally meeting the demand.