FLAX INDUSTRY

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 66, 18 March 1919, Page 11

FLAX INDUSTRY

MILLS CLOSED DOWX. 'Official figures compiled by the Department of Agriculture show a substantial falling off in production of New Zea'.aiul hemp during the year ended February 28. The production or rather the quantities in bales graded were a= follows: — 1917-IS. IMR-19 Hemp 101.148 141. ltV7 Tow 3e.3!>7 22,283 Strtpper slips . 2,5.'xJ 822 The decreases for the past twelve months are 10,n81 bales hemp, 14,114 bales tow, and 1713 bales Blips, in all 3,),708 bales. The grading of hemp for the month ot February last for the whole Dominion, 14.433 (5153 Wellington, 3795 Foxton), bales, showed a shrinkage of 3902 bales compared with the quantity graded in February, 1319. "Fair" grade lieinp accounted for 11,918 hales. It ha- been estimated that there are fully 40.000 bales of flax in store in New Zealand awaiting export, worth fully £±25.000. There is sailing tonnage iilferinjr to the United States at a low rate, but no market there except for prompt delivery, according to litest reports. London is described as "nibbling."' Much of the hemp held in store i« on millers' account, representing a very large sum of money in the aggregate ]k. id out through labour, royalty, and other channels. In these circumstances the mills in the Manawatu and Foxton districts have been compelled to close down, and tnilU in the Auckland and Southland districts hnve also closed. Their reopening before next season begins is problematical. Inquiries made locally have failed to obtain a price for flax to-day, except for one or two small parcels, worth about £33 per ton, f.0.b., for high fair grade. This is a fall of £5 per ton on rates ruling there three months ago.