THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1380, 30 March 1915, Page 2

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Tax.kino about monopoly we might just say a word concerning the areas oi' green flax held in this district. A bountiful Providence provided the green blade, and the present owners are fortunate creatures of circumstances. The hemp industry has grown until now it ranks sixth In order of our chief exports. It provides employment for hundreds of workers, and has reached a degree of importance which demands the careful supervision of the Government. The time, in fact, has arrived when the Government should make it absolutely impossible (or vested interests to hamper, by monopolistic restrictions, the development of the industry. To a certain extent the Government has encouraged the industry, by offering and paying a bonus to any inventor who can improve the machinery for the belter production of the finished ax tide; the Government also superintends the garding. This is good so far as it goes, but the Government has started at the wrong end. The Government should, first and foremost, and without delay, take over the large flax areas, and start from there. The future of the hemp industry depends upon this point, and this alone. First, remove the control of the green blade from private ownership, and thus afford security of tenure to the miller. The future of this important industry hinges upon this fact.