THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2627, 1 September 1923, Page 2

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY INCREASED. FOR EXPERIMENTAL WORK. My Joseph Linklater, M.P. for Manawatu, last evening received the following telegram from Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister for Agriculture: “Cabinet lias to-day decided to © pay a subsidy of £SOO to the N.Z. Flaxmillers’ Association for the purpose of continuing experimental work in flax investigation; also that the amount collected as a result of the extra charge of fld per ton on hemp graded be

also paid to the Association.” On being interviewed in connection with the above, Mr A. Seifert, president of the N.Z. Flaxmillers’ Association, expressed pleasure at the decision of the Government.. He pointed out that the subsidy was larger than it looked, because the paying over of the 6d per t m on hemp graded would bring in at least £3OO extra this year, the output having been over 12,000 tons. Thus the Association would expect £BOO, as against the £290 previously offered by the Government. Thci-e were indications also of a revival in the industry, with a subsequent increase in the output, which would, of course, increase the amount returned to the Association. As a result of the communication, Mr Seifert said, the Association would be called together immediately to discuss a policy in connection with further experimental work. He paid a tribute to the services of Messrs Linklater, Nash and Field, M’s.P., for their efforts on behalf of the Association.