THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1294, 8 September 1914, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

INCREASED FREIGHTS OBJECTED TO. ENQUIRY TO BE INSTITUTED, PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS. On Thursday a deputation from the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association waited upon the shipping cempanies in Wellington in an endeavour to have the 25 per cent, increase in the freight of flax since the war reduced, so that ibe industry might be_ parried on under reasonable conditions. The deputation, which was headed by Mr H- Seifert, pointed out that the increase in freight in conjunction with the big fall in the flax market would cripple the industry, and if the mills stopped anything from 1,500 to 2,000 men would be thrown out of work. The shipping companies, in reply, said that the increase in the freight was justifiable, there being several main factors which necessitated the rise. One was [the extra expense in coaling vessels now the war was on. The increased insurance on the hulls of vessels alone more than justified the 25 per cent, increase in freight. The deputation’s request for a special concession on flax was also declined. The deputation next waited upon the Prime Minister and placed before him the position of the flax industry in consequence of the rise in freight. They asked that the Government might take up the insurance of the bulls of vessels. This, the Prime Minister said, was impossible, as ratepayers would object. He made it quite plain to the deputation that the shipping companies were not justified in increasing the freight, and that the Government might even go to the length of chartering boats to compete against the shipping companies. Since the deputation returned to Palmerston North, the secretary of the Flaxmillers’ Association has received notice that a Shipping Companies Freights and Charges Committee would be holding an enquiry on September gth for the purpose of taking evidence on the question of shipping freights and the provision for sufficient cargo supplies for the ensuing season.