THE FUTURE OF HEMP

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 21

THE FUTURE OF HEMP

INVESTIGATIONS IN LONDON.

SEVERE MANILA COMPETITION* CFbom Oub Owk Cobkespondent.)

LONDON, July 2. The condition of the hemp market during the last year has caused much keener anxiey than is usually occasioned by the periodic "slump" to which the unfoi-i:uyiat& fibre is liable. What has beon done in the Philippines 6ino& they passed inta American band's" constitutes a greater menace than Manila fibre was ever befora capable of, a-nd the position of New Zealand hemp is now one for ssrious consideration.

Dr Chappie, who is largely interested in the Makerua swamp, near Shannon, ar.<l Mr I. W. Raymond, of Invercargill, who has capital invested in southern fiaxmills, have been investigating the position on independent lines. The results they have kindly furnished me for your columns.

THE PRICE OP MANILA.

j Dr Ch&pple says:- "§uite .recently a risa of £2 per ton in London and £3 in the United States has taken place in the price of Manila, which has weakened a little -since then. A 6 ud den notion seemed tcarise that Manila was going to be scarcer and deaier and the demand greater. No. one seems able to account for this. There is a promise of one and a-quarter million.' baiea of Manila for the incoming ycar^ against "one million and forty thousand proI ouired last year. No one, however, seem* to know what the consumption and demand will be for the coming year. I had a,' long and intrestihg interview with the head* of one .of the largest Manila brofceis in{ London. He expressed the opinion thatf Manila might rise a little, but that for thac next few years it would fluctuate bstween' £18 as c minimum and from £22 to £24 as a maximum, keeping a* a rule between £20 and £22. He professed his inability, however, to make any confident prediction. He declared that the consumption of fibr«, was increasing. He showed me some German sisal that was selling at £28 a ton* It was 6trorg, wiry, and very white, clean.and uniform. He spoke in terms of unqualified praise of the uniformity of thrf New Zealaiyl article, and praised the foresight of the Government beoauee of its introduction of the grading system. In th« case of Manila, five or six different grade* would come in the same bale, and manu* facturers constantly complained, and fre«quently compared ths regular uniformity and trustworthiness, of New Zealand hemp. Our fibre had gained a fine reputation for) binder twine and among manufacturer* generally. He did not think that machinery was helping the production of Manila o* reducing its cost. The Americans were indulging the Philippine labourers, and to some extent spoiling them. He recalled the tim© a few" years ago when Manila waa