Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, SEPT. 15, 1917. THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1730, 15 September 1917, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, SEPT. 15, 1917. THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

= y— ■■■ FOR some time past the High Commissioner, in his weekly cable on the state of the hemp market, has made reference to the probable fixing, by

the Imperial Government, of maximum prices for New Zealand hemp in London. Definite steps in this direction have now been taken, the Nov/ Zealand Government receiving a cable briefly setting forth the proposals. The matter being of .great importance to those connected with the industry, the Minister of Agriculture convened a meeting of fiaxmillers and exporters in order to place the proposals before them, and this meeting was held at Wellington on Thursday. All the exporters dealing in hemp were represented, and there was an attendance of about 35 flaxmillers from all parts of the Dominion. The Prime Minister and the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald (Minister for Agriculture, Industries and Commerce), briefly outlined the position, which was that the Imperial Government proposed to fix the maximum price at which New Zealand hemp could be sold in the United Kingdom at £B3 per ton for good fair grade, £Bl for high fair, and £BO for low fair. These prices were proposed to come into force as from September 15th, but the Imperial Government was prepared to consider any representations made from this end. Mr Massey made it clear that the Imperial Government did not propose to requisition the supply of New Zealand hemp, but only to fix the maximum price at which it could be sold in London. Business in New Zealand hemp would continue to be transacted as in the past, the only difference being that the maximum prices above-menti-oned must not be exceeded. The shipping problem, which in the past has caused those connected with the industry much anxiety, will not be affected by the price fixing proposals, the finding of space for shipping hemp being still the concern of the exporters in New Zealand. After the Ministers withdrew, a meeting of millers and exporlers was held, and the mailer was further discussed, and recommendations drafted, which Avere subsequently presented to the Prime Minister to submit to the Imperial authorities. * :(:• ftFlaxmillers, as a result of the aelion of the Imperial Government in fixing the maximum price of hemp in London, are faced Avith a drop of from £lO to £l2 per ton on the prices that Avoro ruling a Aveck or so back, and they Avill be in no belter position as regards the shipping problem. Although maximum prices have only been fixed 'for the United Kingdom alone, there being no suggestion of fixing prices in America or Australia, the prices in these countries Avill, as in the past, be regulated by the London market. *** * * The cable received by the Government mentioned the probability of also fixing a maximum price in London for loaa’, but no definita proposal has yet been made in this direction. Even if this Avcro done, hoAvevor, it; Avould not lun’c much effect on the market, as at present toAV values, compared Avith the high price ruling for hemp, are very loav indeed. This is duo to the lack of shipping space. The price of toAV in England and America is good, but unless space in the ships can be provided for same, it is no good to the millers and exporters in this country. Any shipping space that is available is utilised for hemp, with the result that there are large accumulations of loav in all parls of Noav Zealand, and values arc consequently at a loav ebb.