THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3101, 26 January 1909, Page 4

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Mr C. J. Fulton, Chief Government Fibre Expert, had something to say to an "Otago Daily Times" reporter m regard to the New Zealand hemp industry. Some little time ago this industry, it will be remembered, was, as far as Southland arid Otago were concerned, reported to be in a somewhat parlous state, the contributing factor of which was the heavy export of hemp from Manila on to the London market at a reduced rate, thus bringing prices down to a level which made it very difficult for Nety Zealand millers to compete. Another factor was the cost of labour, and the excessive royalties that were being demanded by owners of flaxgrowing areas. The industry has takenVmore hopeful turn by virtue of the fact that millers are now devoting their attention to turning out a fine grade article, which is worth from £4 to £C per ton in advance of good fair grade hemp. In the North Island some of the big mills are profiting considerably by this new move, for they are reaping the advantages of the extra price, with very little additional cost in production. But where labour is costly and royalties are heavy, and the mills are not built on such big lines, as, for instance, in the Manawatu district, it has been found a difficult problem to keep going at a profit.