THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1288, 25 August 1914, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER

A deputation consisting of Messrs J. Robertson, M.P. for Otaki, P. X. Robinson, secretary of the Manawatu Fiaxmills Employees’ Union, and W. E. Parry waited on the Right Hon. \V. F. Massey (Prime Minister) on Thursday to draw attention to the large amount 0} unemployment in the Manawatu district as ihe result of the closing down of the fiaxmills. Mr Robertson explained that the flaxmillers took up the attitude’ that if there were no prospects of improvements in the market in two or three weeks the mills would be closed down. In the meantime, 600 men who were nominally employed at this time of the year, were out of employment, and in a few days another 600 would be in the same predicament. It was asked that the Government should devise some means whereby the distress occasioned might be alleviated. He suggested that possibly an expert might be sent to report, the same as had been done in connection with the kauri gum industry. Mr W. Parry also spoke. ’ In replying, the Premier stated that everything possible would be done to keep the industries of the country going. The flax industry was in a bad way as most ot the flax went to the west coast of America, and the Imperial authorities had announced that the Pacific was not safe. Naturally the heavy war risks affected the prices received by the manufacturers. If the trade routes were safe in two or three weeks, as it was hoped they would be, there would be a great improvement in trade. As far as relief works were concerned, it was hoped, in spite of the financial difficulties being experienced, to keep on with the public works, and it possible, to provide even more work for the unemployed. An expert would be asked to make a report on the position of the flax industry, and everything possible would be done to afford relief.-—Evening Post.

INTERVIEW WITH MR ROBERTSON. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROMISED. Our representative this morning interviewed Mr Robertson, M.P. in connection with the above. Mr Robertson said that during the course of the Prime Minister’s reply to the deputation, he asked if the Government would be prepared to assist the hemp industry iu the same way in which assistance had been promised in connection with the kauri gum industry. Mr Robertson pointed out that the Government had appointed an expert to inquire into the kauri gum industry, and promised, in order to keep the industry going, to make advances against the gum found and in stock. He said the best means of assisting the people connected with the hemp industry would be by keeping the fiaxmills working. If this were done he considered the unemployment question as far as the district was concerned would not be difficult, and could well be dealt with in the district. If the Government was prepared to make advances against dressed fibre it would assist matters considerably, and no doubt all the mills would the n contine working. In replying Mr Massey said the Government would be prepared to assist as suggested. At present an expert was inquiring into the kauri gum industry, and he would immediately appoint an expert to report on the hemp industry. Mr Robertson said this morning that no doubt ail the information required by the Government could be supplied by the graders. He intended approaching the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association with a view of having the Government’s offer placed before the millers, so that the question of carrying, on by taking advantage of same, could receive careful consideration.