THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2021, 28 August 1919, Page 1

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Mr J. A. Duncan, secretary of the Northern Flaxmillers’ Association, stated to a New Zealand Herald representative that “the maintenance of high steamer freights on hemp has seriously affected the tlaxmilling industry in the Auckland Province, and has also curtailed production throughout the Dominion. This state of affairs has existed for over four years, as the first increase in rates took place soon after the outbreak of war.”

The effect was slow, said Mr Duncan, but about six months ago the position became serious, and fiaxmillers were forced to unite in the hope of arriving at a satisfactory settlement with the steamship companies. Early in March an extraordinary situation confronted millers on account of the increase in outward shipping rates. In October, 1918, the freight was increased' to £2O a ton for hemp, and £32 a ton for tow, as against a pre-war rate of £3 ss, and the millers found export an unprofitable proposition. The Northern'Assoeiation communicated with the Minister for Lands, the Hon, D. H, Guthrie, asking for his assistance.. The Minister replied that representations had already been made to the Imperial Government, through the High Commissioner. Nothing further was done, and by March last the majority of the mills in the Auckland district had closed, only three of the Waikato mills remaining open. As a couseriuenee several hundred men were thrown out of work. “At this time the market price for hemp was £SO a ton,” said Mr Duncan, “but after paying the freight and other charges the millers received a return of only £3O a ton,” It was- considered, he said, that a decrease of £5 a ton on the freight rates was necessary. "The hemp and tow was lining then stored without hope of sale.

“The flax industry has always been one of ups and downs,” said Mr Duncan. “It was in the lowest depths of depression at the time of the census of 2800, when only G2

mills were in operation in the colony, employing G 47 hands.” During the next twenty years the number of mills fluctuated ITomlOl to GO, and in 1910 there were 7G mills in operation, in the latter year freight restrictions and higher freight rates were current, and the anxiety which is so keen at present was first felt. In 1012 28,092 tons of phorminm fibre and tow were exported, in 1014 23,928 tons, in 1015 2G,G85 tons, and in 2.010, 32,252, of a value of £707,(102, £402,230, £010,050, and £1,078,(132 respectively. lu 2917 only 26,010 tons were exported, but the price realised was £1,232,608, of which £374,592 was on account of exports to Great Britain. For the year ended March 3.lst, 1918, the value of the flax export was £1,298,872. At the pre-war price of 1013 the same quantity would have realised only £014,140. The report of the Empire Flaxgrowing Committee, issued recently recommended the continuance of the efforts to develop llaxgrowing within the Empire. The report stated: — “information has been received pointing to the conclusion that flax cun be successfully grown in Australia on a large scale if the economic conditions are such that the crop is likely to offer sufficient inducement, but pending further information, it defers references in connection with Australia. The same thing applies to New Zealand.” Mr Duncan said he considered the “economic conditions” referred to were mainly the freights, Britain did not coniine her purchase of flax during the war to the Dominions alone. The American product was popular at Home during the war period on account of its cheapness, and the American freight rales were much lower than on British lines. In addition, said Mr Duncan, New Zealand exports especially have been met with the competition*' of Manila and other similar products from the Philippines, and sisal from Mexico. Large supplies were also drawn from East Africa, and this was an obstacle to the New Zealand producer. The prospects of reviving the industry would be bad it the freights were not lowered, said Mr Duncan. ■ There was no doubt that the present system was prohibitive and unfair. A redeeming feature' was the granting of licenses by America for the importation of New Zealand hemp without limit as to quantity, but thia was hardly enough, as freight rates were prohibitive. The flax fcjde had been for years a staple industry, and was threatened with dissolution if proper aid was not given it.

Belgian refugees still remaining in England are estimated at 20,000, many of whom are now permanently settled there. Kansas City is the first American municipality to take official action against the present vogue of intimate dancing, according to an announcement made by Mr N. V, Reichenecker, chief welfare officer. All public dancing places in Kansas City .must enfree the following rules: —First, no seats must be placed together; second, the man and woman must stand at least six inches apart; third, a man must nut place his hand on the woman's back lower than the shoulder blade; fourth, no jigging or vulgar swaying of the shoulders; fifth, no “slow drags,” of a vulgar character; seventh, absolutely no “shimmy” dancing.