NEW ZEALAND HEMP. IMPORTANT INTERVIEW WITH A LEADING BROKER. London, November 2.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 428, 14 December 1889, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND HEMP . IMPORTANT INTERVIEW WITH A LEADING BROKER. London, November 2.

At the instance of Mr Henry Brett, of Auckland, who has taken the greatest interest in investigating the various markets for New Zealand produce during his brief stay in the Old Country, I, on Monday morning last, interviewed Mr Charles Spurling, the well-known flax-broker, of 27, Leadenhall-street. Mr Spurling'a experience in the sale and purchase of textile fibres, both from India and the colonies, covers a period of '40 years ! and on the subject of New Zealand hemp he is indisputably one of the foremost | "English authorities. Mr Spurling's experience with New Zealand flax extends back a quarter of a century. ' Some 20 years since he disposed of one parcel of 1,000 bales shipped by Mr Constable, of Waiuku, and brought over by Captain | Ashby in the old City of Auckland. That parcel was thoroughly clean and well pi-e-pared, and sold at from £31 10s to £33 10s, or an average of £32 per ton. Mr Spurjing's memory rocurs fondly to the fine quality of this initial shipment. He has, he says, seen driblets equal to it, but never any better in quantity since. "What was it," I asked, "caused the temporary collapse in the market for New Zealand hemp between 1370 and 1886 ?" ]• Well," replied Mr Spurling, "for one thing the hemp was not used then for the many purposes of the present day, and with moderate prices ruling for manilla and sisal hemp, great apathy was shown for not only New Zealand but other fibres. Great bigotry and prejudice existed, and to some extent still continues in England against the fibre substitutes on the part of English rope-makers, and the market; was in consequence very limited.andfor another,a great prejudice existed amongst rope-makers against the New Zealand article. The third and most important reason, however, was that manilla and sisal hemp, which are preferable to New Zealand for most purposes were far cheaper than they are now Manilla had risen from £35 to £48 and £50 per ton, and sisal hemp from £18 to £50 per ton between 1887 and 1889. This naturally caused people to seek again for New Zealand flax as a cheapening substitute. The chief markets for New Zealand flax are the United States and the Continent of Europe. In the States, New Zealand hemp is being largely used with, and partially as a substitute for Manilla and sisal fibi-es for binding and reaping twinery. The Americans use it in great quantities for agricultural bindings, etc. ; but the largest shipment; travel via London. It is, in point of fact, cheaper to send it this way than via 'Frisco, for though the freight from Auckland or Wellington to London is £5 10s per ton (enormously heavy, by the way), we can forward it across the Atlantic for 15s per ton." "And now, Mr Spurling," I said, "I must ask you a weighty question. Will the demand for New Zealand flax really last ?" " Yes, I think the prices are fairly moderate and the future promising 1 . Certainly the New Zealand must continue in demand whilst Manilla and sisal hemp remain at anything like their present rates." " And they will, you consider, do so V " Yes, in my opinion, Manilla can't now produce enough hemp to disturb the NewZealand market." "What should you think is about the extent of the present consumption of New Zealand hemp ?" " Well," laughed Mr Spurling, " that is rather an awkward question to put offhand, but, hazareling a rough guess, I should say the English shipments just now run perhaps to 8,000 or 7,000 tons yearly. Shipments of New Zealand to England this year would probably be from 10,000 tons, of which a considerable part will ultimately be consumed in the States. Several direct shipments have been made from New Zealand to New York and San Francisco over and above the deliveries from London to the States." "What about the quality of the New Zealand hemp now sent home ?" " Ah," said Mr Spurling significantly, and then he set to work and commenced with much fervour go preach the same gospel as to the imperative necessity of careful steeping, retting, and baling, which I have so often quoted to you. Sir Francis Bell, Sir Walter Buller, Mr Spurling, Mr Owen Jones fand tbo American brokers all say the same thing. There is a great iuturo before New Zealand flax if the growers and shippers, aro only duly careful and conscientious. " But, alas," said Mr Spurling, regretfully, "in consequence of the increasing profits made by shippers, I fear growers are already cutting many old plants, which accounted for so much coarse fibre being shipped. It is foolish, it is suicidal. "Could you not, Mr Spurling," I ventured rather hesitatingly, "furnish me from the depths of your experience with some hints with regard to the preparation and baling of the flax, such as would be useful to settler-growers?' "Why, certainly," the broker good-naturedly replied, and he has kindly supplied mo with his opinion and "Guide for Shippers," in printed form, just issued by him. Ist. That, as far as possible, the colour be uniform, and of a palish yellow. 2nd. That where two or more colours exist, they should, as far as possible, be separated into secondary marks. 3rd. That no runners or hard strikes, (improperly decorticated fibres) should be left in tho heads or layers. 4th. That the seed or crop end should be softened ; the tow and hard particles I being carefully removed. sth. That the bales generally shipped at presonb are too heavy and bulky, and the heads too large. Square press-packed bales of 2J to 24 cwt each are much preferred to larger bales, and the heads should nob exceed 2h to 3Jlba weight each. 6th. That fine and good coloured hemp should be protected by a cloth or canvas wrapper. 7th. That the hemp bo carefully retted or steeped in none but clean water, a running stream being most advisable. The defects of colour visible in many parcels of fibre shipped clearly indicate a want of proper care in this respect, and that discoloured or stagnant Water has been too frequently used m the steeping process. Bth. That neither in baling nor in dumping should iron bands or iron wire be, used, since either by ship's sweat, or by sea damage, the fibre is liable through oxidation to discolour and materially to effect the saleable value of this article. 9th. Thafa the bales be bound with New Zealand, or other hemp ropes, but hot with iron bands or wire rope of any description. 10th.' That to prevent chances of fire, through spontaneous combustion, ' the hemp be thoroughly well , dried before packing or baling. 11th. That in order to do full justice , as between one district of growth and .another, each district ,ot growth, if possible, should be superadded to the other shirjp'ers's distinctive marks.— C, SrrßLi^d, Hemp and Fibre Broker. ' Mi* Spurling" says' that for some tiqie Auckland flax spld bebter'thati Wellington. It was better cleaned 1 arid bet'tpr pressed I .', Now, however! b,oth &re equally good ;''in fact, one Wellington brand, 'W.M^vrhicH, coraea through the Colonial Bank of ' New'

Zealand, has gained a special name for ex cellence. Curreno rates run—Good Auckland and Wellington flax, £30 to £31 ; fine Auckland and Wellington" flax, £34 to £35 ; medium Auckland 'and Wellington flax, £28 : 10s to £29 -10s. Mr Spurting reminded me that in June, 1886, aisal was selling£lBlBslodperton; common New Zealand, £17 to £18; whilst in July, 1887 (there being no sisal here), New Zealand rose— common, to £24 per ton, and good, £28. In 'December, 1887, fair New Zealand jumped up suddenly to £36 and £36 10s, and declined in June, 1888, to £27 to £29. In December, 1888, sisal rose to £40 ; middling New Zealand, £29 to £31. In June, 1889, sisal rose to £53 ; New Zealand fair rose also to £31, £35. -

THE DISCOUNT QUESTION. New Zealand shippers, I may mention, owe a special debt; of gratitude to Mr Spurling in thab he was the first London broker to agitate against the antiquated discount of oi instead of 2£ on New Zealand hemp. Complaints having reached him from Messrs Clouston, of Blenheim, and several obhor groweis, Mr Spurting heroically took the bull by the horns and summoned a meeting of brokers, bankers, and others interested. Addressing what proved to be quite a representative gathering, Mr Spurlingsaid he was glad to see so large an attendance, and hoped those present would assist him in carrying the resolution which he had just read to the meeting. He need scarcely say that with the exception of New Zea land hemp there was no other colonial fibre on which so large a discount as 3J per cent. was allowed on cash payments. After an experience of some 40 years as a fibre broker, he challenged anyone present at this meeting to deny, that, excepting Russia and European hemp, no other colonial fibre had ever borne so heavy a discount as 3 : f per cent. All descriptions of textile fibres, including Manila, ! sisal and Mauritius hemps, were sold at 1 auction with an allowance of 2h per cent., or its equivalent terms. Under these circumstances he looked upon the present discount on New Zealand hemp as anomalous and unfair, and such as fully justified the complaints of the colonists, many of which had reached him quite recently. In order thab those present might see that he was not calling the meeting on his own account, and as a proof that the colonists were dissatisfied, and intended to form a Commibteeabroad onthesubjecb of the reduction of discount, he (Mr Spurling) read extract of letter received from Messrs W. E. Clouston and Co., of Blenheim, dated 14th June, 1889, in which the writer says, "Can you not manage to waive the enormous charge of 3J per cent, discount? We are told that if ifc is sold as flax the discount is not so much, but being Fold as hemp the charge ia 3| per cent. There ia a talk amongst producers of getting up a petition to object against the abovomentioned custom. Whilst expressing satisfaction to see the meeting attended by so many influential merchants und bankers connected vrith the colony, Mr Spurling warned the meeting that if it desired to encourage the development of this trade, that it should, by adopting his resolution, Bhow to the colonists that in lieu of gagging, they were desirous to adopt their views. He was perfectly certain that although by the adoption of the proposed change of discount some temporary annoyance to home buyers mi^ht arise, vet it would in the long run prove a great benefit andshowthafcEnglandwasalive to the interests and wishes of the colonists. Mr Spurling's views were supported by Mr Bunne, an importer who had likewise had many complaintsaboutthediscount from the colony, and Mr Paull (of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile), who remarked that he would like to say a few words from an importer's or consignee's standpoint. The buyers of New Zealand hemp ehould remember that a great many who were called importers were simply consignees, who acted for the colonial shipper. The shipper was naturally aggrieved at his hemp being subject to an additional discount. It might be that many importers or consignees understood that the 3£ per cent, as against the 2,\ really made no difference to them, but unfortunately they had to deal with the colonial shipper, and to satisfy him thab the hemp is as well sold at 3<f as at 2| per cent, discount. At present he was not satisfied {hear, hear, from Mr Spurling), the shipper at New Zealand was passing as much of his' hemp at possible to the United States, in fact he was seeking " pastures new," under the belief that the extra 1J per cent, is so much out of his pocket. He cannot make the calculation that the price less 3| per cent, is the same as if only 2i per cent, were deducted. It did not follow that because the present custom had prevailed for many years itshould nob be altered. He quoted for instance of sheep skins in wool, also horns, to prove thab even old customs could be altered. At a meeting like the present they could nob make practical arrangements, therefore it might be worth while to form a representative committee which could meet and discuss the matter in all it* bearings and make a report, which might be sent in within a given date. He would move " That a committee of brokers and a committee of buyers be appoinbed to discuss bhe question of the discount on New Zealand hemp," and a report made " by a certain fixed date." Mr Nathan thought the idea a good one. Ultimately Mr Spurling agreed to accepb the suggestion of a Mr Malcolm who moved thab a commibtee of importers, buyers and brokers should be appoinbed after the holidays, say at bhe first sales to take place in October, to confer and report further on the matter. This October meeting was held, but no satisfactory resolution carried, Mr Spur* ling has, however, communicated with a large number of influential colonial shippers, and on receipt of feheir views hopes to be in a position to agitate more effectively. As he is a most energetic man, and not (where right is right) to be cowed by.opposition, he will probably get his way in the long run, and lay New Zealand flax shippers under serious obligations.

The Irish National Delegates addressed a crowded meeting at the Dunedin Garrison Hall last night.- The building was decorated with national and .symbolical devices. Mr J. B. Callan presided, anil on the platform were ' Sir , Jt. . Stout, Dr. Fitchett, M.H.R., Mr yincenb Tyke, M.H.R,, Rev. ' Mr Waddell, and other prominent citizens, while in the Hall ,were the Revs. Messr/s ' Porter and Dutton, and Dr. Belcher, v ', A number of ladies presented , the delegates with ah address, and each of them with a' Maltese Gross' in greenstone, mounted with gold. Mr Dillon then, delivered' a Jong speech on, the, subject of Home Rule. Sir R. Stout proposed, " That .the meeting endorses the principle of the Irwh Home Rule mo vemenb,' believing that local self* government,, while, preserring.the Imperial connection, .will be, for the benefit alik©. of Ireland-and England.!' jThiswas seconded^ by Dr. Dezouche; > and supported by, Dr. ■ Morrin. u The , motion was agreed; tp, and ' a resolution thanking , the delegates, andi* pledgingthe meeting to assist the- Irish and * party, leaders by every .possible .means waa, carried. The amount taken at the .doors was £50, and about £350 were subscribtdin the room, making ,£/JQO;.,wJriohi is. expected to be. added tq..' Th.9 past eleven o'clock,