HEMP FOR PAPER-MAKING

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2453, 13 July 1922, Page 3

HEMP FOR PAPER-MAKING

MANILA QUALITY NOT UP TO STANDARD. The New York “Cordage Trade Journal” of May 4th says that the stocks of Manila hemp on May Ist were only 240,000 bales as compared with 346,000 bales on the same date last year. Japan has been taking the largest quantity of Manila fibre that she lias ever taken and it seems to lie going directly into consumption, the greater part of the increased purchase being used to make paper, which is reported to be consuming 60 per cent, of what Japan buys ..in Manila. The “Cordage Trade Journal” prediction for the receipts for tlm year is 1,000,000 bales, and tne consumption .970,000 bales, used as follows: —United Kingdom and Continent, 360,000 bales; America, 360,000 bales; Japan, 250,000 bales. The “Journal” also states that the stocks in the United Kingdom are the lowest on record, viz., about 18,000 bales. Serious complaints are being made concerning some of the belter grades of Manila both as regards quality and packing, which show a distinct admixture of lower grade hemp. SISAL FIBRE. The “Journal” states that the extraordinary taxes have driven independent operators out of the industry and in the few months that have elapsed Mexican sisal wholly lost the market that was developing in Europe and the United States. The fibre has lost all its friends atnongsf consumers and it is only bought when nothing else can be conveniently substituted. How long the present /economically foolish policy now being followed by those responsible for the handling of Mexican sisal will prevail remains to be seep. .V pool was formed in Yucatan to control the sale of their sisal fibre and apparently has had a disaster--ous effect on the industry. The “Journal” says that there are no quotations for New Zealand hemp and that producers in New Zealand are reported to have ideas about prices which are much above the level that is practicable in either the United States or European markets.