Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1928. THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3816, 10 July 1928, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1928. THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

THE local deputation which waited upon the Minister for Lands at Wellington last week in support "of a petition praying the Governmerr to acquire the Moutoa swamp in the interests of the hemp industry, did not meet with much success, As the Minister pointed out, he ha 1 no power to borrow money for the purchase of land for flax cultivation purposes, and he indicated, further, that if such legislative power were vested in him he would not he prepared to commit the Government to such expenditure when land just as suitable for flax-culti-vation could be acquired at less than one-third the valuation per acre of the Moutoa swamp, and comparatively free from noxious growths. Mr McLeod made it quite clear, however, that the Government was alive to the importance of the hemp industry, and was giving attention to research work with the object of putting it on the market at a price which would overcome foreign competition, and, also, to promote employment. Mr McLeod impressed the deputation with his knowledge of the industry, and it may be added that the Government have done, arid are slid doing, good work to promote its development. So far as the Monica swamp is concerned, it is regrettable to learn that, this area, mice famed for its green blade, is

going- back, and, as one of the deputation remarked, unless something; is done in the near future to cope with the spread of noxious growths, the supply from (Ins scarce will soon be negligible. This will, of course, mean that the local mills which draw their supplies from Moutoa will he compelled la cdooe down, and Foxton will suffer as a result. The remedy is in the hands of the owners, who aie practical and enterprising settlers, and who, it is hoped, will take such steps as will overcome the threatened 'extinction of phorminm in (his locality.