THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1291, 1 September 1914, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Mr H. Seifert presided over a well-attended meeting of the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association at Palmerston last week, when the proposed increases of the freight on flax was discussed. Mr E. E. Broad said he found the shipping companies very reasonable, but owing to the war he noticed the freight on some produce was to be raised 25 per cent. Such an increase would mean an absolute stoppage of the flax industry. The farmers, many of whom were flaxmillers, had now volunteered to fight for their country, but while they were away the freight on their produce was to be raised. He thought they should strongly protest against the rise in freight. The butchers complained against the price of meat, and the Government had instituted a Commission to look into the matter. He moved that a deputation consisting of all the millers interview the Government on the matter. Mr E. Seifert said the Government had found a way out of the difficulty by insuring the hull, It was pointed out that a number of ships were chartered to carry the troops abroad, and ships for freight would not be available till October. Mr Broad’s motion was carried unanimously. Mr E- Seifert moved that the same deputation wait on the Government in reference to exigencies of the flax industry arising out of the war. The deputation’s duty was really to ask the Government to facilitate the shipping and selling of flax. The deputation then waited on ihe Inspector of Factories with regard to"automatic scutching.