THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2458, 25 July 1922, Page 4

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

FURTHER DECLINE IN OUTPUT

COMBINATION OF CAUSES

Just now the flax industry of the Manawatu is not in a very flourishing condition, and it is expected that this year’s output will even fall below that of 1921, which wa's a poor year in point of production. Questioned by a “Standard” representative on Saturday, a leading miller said that the present position has been induced by a combination of low prices, high production costs and the effects of the ravages of the yellow leaf disease. The prices to-day for “high fair” grade fibre was £25 15s, compared with £2B 10s for the similar period last year. Touching on another point, our informant stated that while the yellow leaf disease seemed to have lost its vitality, the millers were feeling the effects of the destruction that had been wrought among the flax in the past. It was estimated Thai, four-ot. five_-years .must, elapse before a crop smitten by yellow leaf fully recovered from the consequences of the disease. He went on to instance the case of a large area of flax owned by his firm, which ordinarily would have been ready for emitting this year, whereas, on account of the incidence of the yellow leaf, it would not be ready for the mills before another two or three years. This naturally was having a serious effect on the output of the district.

There was, however, no doubt that the disease appeared to be dying out in the same mysterious manner in which it made its appearance in the Manawatu.