THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2195, 28 October 1920, Page 2

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ASSISTANCE.

Air W, H. Field (Otaki) asked the Minister for Agrieult nre: —“ (1) Whether his is aware that onr. hemp - manufacturing. industry, which is now seriously embarrassed by enormously increased railway freights, is from that and other causes steadily giving way to dairying and stock fattening, and magttilieenl flax is being destroyed in (lie process? “Whether he will not, as Minister in charge of this valuable labour-absorbing industry, intervene and sec that the question of railway freight on hemp is reconsidered? (3) Whether he will assist in any way, he fairly can‘to encourage the manufacture into paper of stud) portion of the waste products of llax-letif as is suitable for that purpose? (4) Whether he will lake suc!i oilier step* as he may deem necessary to save this, onr own exclusive industry, from extinction?” “ 1

Tlio Hon. AV. Xosworlhy (Minisiei- of Agrienlllire) replied: —“(1) The position in regard to the gradual encroachment of dairying- and stuck fattening on lands previously used for flax growing is well understood. (2) Representations will be made to the, Hon. the Minister of Railways in regard to the effect of increased railway charges on the hemp-milling industry. (.'!) The question of the utilisation of the waste products of .flajt milling has been gone into on many occasions, but further inquiries will he made as to the commercial practicability under present-day conditions of using, these products for paper- x making. (4) The Government will be glad to again consfder whether any further steps can be taken in connection with the position of the hemp industry.” .