THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 43, 19 August 1902, Page 6

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

TO THK KDItOR. Sir — In your paper of last Wednesday in the Commercial column there were soino remarks ou hemp or New Zealand flax which I quite agree with, and I think the majority of iiaxmillers do, Thtre is one very important matter in connection with the industry — and, in fact, to my mind, tho most important — and that is the preservation of the flax itself from destruction, as I know of thousands of neves of splendid flax that has beon grubbed up and burnt. There was a large deputation to the Government and directors of the Assets Company some four years or bo ago requesting the Government to take over about $000 acres of the Moutoa Estate, as it was rumoured the whole of the ilax was to be grubbed up nnd burnt, Himilar to a large area that had been similarly treated. Results : The Premier took a rise out of us by telling us we aught to pool the money w « had aps&t In tatttvltwing him

on tho subject (there were thirty-two of us from Foxton and about twenty-five representing Wellington firms), and the Moutou Estate raised the price of green flax to tho millers (I suppose from the audacity of the doputation) and discharged the manager of the Moutoa Estate. Tho millers have very little to thank the present Government for, as the only present concession that has been granted by the Hon. the Minister for Lands (Mr. Duncan) consists of a telegram once a week re London market and Government Grader, and that after interviewing the Government for about five years. I believe if the Hon. Mr. Seddon had not held the dual position of a director of the company as well as Premier he would have granted our request, but, partly owing to the incorrectness of some figures given by Mr. Foster, the general manager, the result was as above stated. Now, sir, I contend* that it was the duty of any Government, more especially a Labour Government, to have granted the request of that deputation — that 18, if they believe in encouraging colonial industries—^moro especially when that deputation offered 5 per cent, on the purchase-money, which ought to be good enough.-— 1 urn, etc., J. R. STAtfSELL. Te Horo, 18th August, 1902.

The Agent-Generol has. cabled as follows to the Agricultural Department: — "London, 18th August. — There has been no alteration in the mutton market since last week. There is a better tone in the lamb market this week. Average price New Zealand lamb, Canterbury brand, is sd. New Zealand lomb.other than Conterbury, 4gd. Beef market firm. Stocks of New Zealand beef on hand are lignt. New Zealand hinds sgd, fores 4d. Hemp market firm. Price to-day for good fair Wellington grade on spot is £34.' Sep-tember-November shipments £31 10s." The remains of the late Private A. Tonks were yesterday conveyed with military honour's to the Te Anau for interment at Hokianga, The members of the District Hospital Board have decided to visit Otaki next Thursday for the purpose of coming to an arrangement to increase the accommodation at the cottage hospital there. The Benevolent Trustees held their weekly meeting this afternoon. It was reported that there were 74 inmates in Ohiro Home to-day. An intimation was received from the Church of Christ Christian Endeavour Society that a party from the society would visit the Home this evening to provide an entertainment for the inmates of the Home. The Trustees expressed pleasure that the young people should think so kindly and thoughtfully of the social enjoyment of the inmates of the Home. "Mason," writing from Karori, takes a line very similar to a correspondent whose protest appeared in yesterday's issue. He says that the Town Hall contractors "must have taken it for granted that masons were not' to be got here, as they neither advertised nor looked for them in this city. I could mention four masons at present out of work in Wellington, and news from Dunedin points to the fact that masons could also have been obtained from that quarter." He says that even if sufficient men could not be found to dress the bluestone facings, employment might have beon given to a few masons in dressing the atone steps. Further evidence in the divorce case of Thomas R. Porter v. Haunare Porter and Te Rame was heard by the Chief Justice this afternoon. His Honour was satisfied with the proof of adultery and granted a decree nisi. The Rev. T. H. Sprott (Anglican) and the Rev. Reid Qlnsson (Congregationalist) left to-day for Nelson, where they are to address a public meeting to-morrow night on the question of Bible-reading in schools. The invitation concert given by the Glee and Madrigal Society last evening in the Sydney-street schoolroom wai successful in every respect, a result due chiefly to the careful preparation which members of the chorus had received «at the bunds of Mr. Robert Parker. There is always a thoroughness about any musical event undertaken by Mr Parker, and it is very evident that he is engaged in a labour of love where music is concerned. The principal feature of last evening's concert was the rendering of the quaint, but sweet Irish ballad " Phaudrig Orohooru," and the chorus of about sixty did full justice to the number. Subsequently the chorus rendered an old-time madrigal entitled "Tho. Silver Swan," in which they were equally successful. The glee, " There is beauty on th« mountains," was another most enjoyable number. Severul part songs were excellently given. Misa Ethel Parsons was very 1 deservedly recalled for her singing of " Rosy Morn," her encore number being "Love Has Eyes." Miss Tolhursl was applauded for her singing of " 0, Bid Your Faithful Ariel Fly." The pianoforte solo, " Study in D-flat Major,", by Misi Stuart, was well played, as wns also the Rondo and Andante. A flute duet was artistically played by Messrs. C. J. Hill and L. Cohon, A public meeting was held at th* Druids' Hall last, night under the auspices of the* Town and Country Co-operative Supply Federation, Limited. Mr. W. W. Tanner, M.H.R., one of the founders of the Chrislchurch Working Men's Co-op-erative Society, said that ther* was a largo body of men who were well off and 'did not trouble about co-operation, and there were those who Mere not so well off who thought very hard about it. If there had been earnest thought nnd earnest work in the cause of co-operation, it had brought forth good fruit, but many a man hnd had to BacriHce his oww interests m what seemed rtt first a hopeless task. The movement in Chrislchurch, with which he was connected, started in 1890, when employment wns difficult to procure, nnd though faced with difficulties, had prospered Tho first week's business of the Christchurch Working Men's Co-opera-tive Society was £30, and they had about 40 members. Now their turnover is £25,000 a year, they owned five shops, and numbered about 1300 members. They established two golden rules— one, thnt nobody should buy excepting for cash, nnd the other, that, having secured a good shopman, they would trust him. They now deal in 'groceries, provisions, ironmongery, drapery, tailoring, boot* and shoes, coal and firewood. They wore also now iibout to start a co-operative bakery, jmu! there were two large building socie | >s recruited from the members. They also lmd a bacon factory at Kaiapoi," had started a freehold farm outside Christchurch of some sixteen acres, and they delivered all round Christchurch to a distance of ton or twelve miles. Tiie only condition of success in the co-opera-tive movement was that there should bo an organised body of determined co-opera-tors. An interesting discussion followed, in the course of which questions were put to the speaker as to the Vorking of the society with which he wns connected, A vote of thanks to Mr. Tanner was unanimously carried. Says the Springfield (United States) Rcpublicati : The name of J. p. Morgan has been suggested for the next Republican Presidential nomination. But men love power, nnd Morgan already wields a greater power than the President, He would not look at the place. • Negotiations between the ' Austrian and Hungarian Governments for the renewal of the Ausgleich, or financial agreement, and the revision of the autonomous tariff, which for some time past have been at a complete standstill, will now (says The Times of 30th June) be resumed, and there can be little doubt that eventually an undwiUmding will b» a,vjtf»«d at

"Pulpit or press — which exercises th« greater influence?" was the subject of an animated discussion by the members of St. James's Mutual Improvement Association, Adelaide-road, last evening. No vote was taken at the close, the opposing parties not having joined issue on the questions involved with sufficient definiteness. A claim for specific performance came before the Chief Justice to-day in the case of Leonard James Holroyd v. Joseph Jameson. The whole question hinged upon the extent of the powers of an option of purchase clause in an agree* ment in the event of fire. Mr.' Dalziel appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Hadfleld for defendant. His Honour reserved his decision.