Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1918. THE HUMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1773, 8 January 1918, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1918. THE HUMP INDUSTRY.

IN reference 1 o the increase in shipping freights on exports, the Prime Minister lias received many communications on the subject. He stated at Wellington yesterday that lie had cabled to the Imperial authorities asking that the increased rates should not apply to commodities which were in store awaiting shipment on December 31st, the day berorc the new rates came into operation. He had not yet received any -reply. So far as the hemp industry is concerned, the extra freight will mean a double taxation on millers. On the top of (his impost comes the suggestion that the mills should be closed down in order to free labour for farming pursuits. The closing down would not seriously affect millers who have crossed the border of financial worry, but it would mean bankruptcy to a number of others, unless the flax-cutting rights of those paying royalties were safeguarded. We were of opinion that the production of hemp was an essential for binder twine and in connection with the manufacture of munitions. If this is so (he industry is essential. But there are so many pulling the strings of the Government that those interested in the hemp industry do not seem to know where they stand. Whatever the Government's action may be in connection with the industry, two facts are evidenced: One is that the Imperial authorities are getting a big cut out of the profits, through the increased freights, and the other is that, unlike so many other lines, 'there is no exploitation by the producers.