The Hemp Industry.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3753, 9 April 1908, Page 3

The Hemp Industry.

By Telegraph.—Press Association Auckland, Last Night.

The total quantity of New Zealand hemp graded at Auckland during the year ended March 31 by Mr W. H. 0. Johnston, Government grader, was 43,692 bales, or 7126 tons, to the total value in round figures of £95, 000. The quantity of tow passing through the grading stores at the same time was 1250 tons, worth approximately £6OOO, making the total value of hemp dressed at Auckland for the year £IOI,OOO. Some idea of the extent of the industry throughout the province may be gathered from the calculation that this quantity would need the handling of at least 60,000 tons of leaf—cutting, dressing, drying, packing and carting it. These figures are somewhat short of last year's, there being 6257 bales, or 860 tons, less this year than for the 12 months ended March 31, 1907. The reduction in value is considerable, "good fair," for instance, having declined during the 12 months from nearly £4O to £2O odd. For the present month to date 550 bales, or over 100 tons, have been handled by the Government grader, so that the industry has not by any means gone back to the extent anticipated through the recent slump in prices.

Asked if he had heard anything regarding a remission of grading fees, Mr Johnston said that he believed that something of the kind was to take effect, as from April 1; but as far as he knew the only remission was Id per cwt of hemp, which wi s so small as to make practiclly no appreciable difference to millers. The Government grader pointed cut that the charge for the opening and closing of the bales, etc., was made by the shipping companies or the merchants, and not by the Government.