THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1951, 13 March 1919, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

(To flu- Fditor.) Sir. —The closing down of the (laxmills means a loss not only to a, large number of; employees, but the stoppage in circulation of! thousands of: pounds, which has a depressing effect upon all other businesses. The men employed in the industry must either remain idle until the mills start again, or seek out work in other parts. Some will remain handy until their savings and credit are exhausted. 1 hope they Avon t have to Avail long before the Avhirring of: (lie stripper is heard again. Well. Sir, don't you think the time has come Avhen the hemp industry should be placed upon a more stable footing? It is recognised that hemp is one of the Dominion’s principal exports. I believe it ranks as (he fifth or sixth in our list of exports. The demand is established on the Avorld's market —although millers don’t know much about the important aspect of distribution Avhich is handled by intermediaries, i. 0., merchants, avlio play tin important part in the regulation of prices. Noaa', Sir, we come to the root of the industry. Formium Umax is a natural product, the gift of a bountiful Providence. But, the question of private ownership rears its head. Once alloAv private monopoly to fake a hand in an industry of this magnitude and trouble commences. What: do avo lind, large areas of llax oavued by private individuals. I don’t blame the private owners for acquiring such monopoly, but I do blame Parliament for allowing it. All llax areas should belong to the Slate — that is (he very foundation for continuity of supply of green leaf, and upon Avhicli the future of the industry depends. Del this point be stressed bv people, Avorkcrs and millers. Private ownership of (he flax must be eliminated. Next, cut the flax areas into suitable blocks, to bo leased by the State to hona tide millers at a fair rental, and upon terms and conditions Avhieh Avill make for cultivation and scientific treatment or farming of the llax. So lar so good. Milters Avontd not then lie subject to private owners for supplies, but to the conditions laid dmfn hv the State. The industrial conditions Avoukl not cause trouble, he-' cause the flax-cutters’ labour Avould he distributed in cutting and cultivation upon such conditions Avhieh ■would he fnir and equitable. Employees could mill fibre on the eo-, operative principle. The Slate should assist in the sale of the finished article. Here, again, another obstacle would he removed in eliminating'' the machinations of the middle man. These are a tew points Avhieh might lie considered as concerning the future of the industry, and if you will permit, i Avill mention others in a later issue. —I am, etc., PRESS HARK.