THE HEMP MARKET

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3879, 4 December 1928, Page 2

THE HEMP MARKET

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CABLE. The Department of Agriculture has received the following cablegram dated Ist instant, from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London: — Hemp. —Manila market dull early y this week but closed firm under active demand and sellers’ reserve. Serious damage reported last week by typhoon. “J” grade sold for Janliary-March shipment at; £36 10/-. Sisal. —Market continues firm with buyers of No. lat £39. No. 2 at the close quoted £37/10/-. N.Z. market quiet (word mutilated, being repeated), from price asked by shippers. Demand for afloat satisfied for time being. Closing values: High points, £34 10/-; fair, £3O/15/-; common, £29. Tow: No. 2, £2O/10/-; No. 3, £lB 10/-, November to January shipments., NEW ZEALAND FLAX. LIMITATIONS AND DEFECTS. Investigations by the Imperial Institute into the marketing potentialities of New Zealand flax (phormium tenax) are reported to have revealed certain limitations and defects. This information will enable the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to concentrate upon improving the local product with a view to giving it a greater utility. v The chief defects which are said by British rope, twine and net manufacturers to occur in New Zealand hemp are: (a) Irregularity in length and the presence of tow, (b) insufficient cleaning and the presence of coloured runners and strawy fibre, (c) uneven strength, and (d) irregularity of colour. The defects, which naturally stand in the way of greater utilisation of the New Zealand product, were brought to light by the investigations of the Imperial Institute. The objection by the British manufacturers to New Zealand phormium tenax on the score of strength is reported to .be borne out by the experience of the Plymouth Cordage Company (Mass.), who state that further uses could be found for the fibre if it were of greater strength. Moreover, Jests carried out by the Department in New Zealand are reported to show that the difference in strength between flax stripped by ordinary machinery and hand stripped is some 65 per cent.