HEMP EXPORTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 104, 29 October 1909, Page 8

HEMP EXPORTS.

THE GRADING RETURNS. The returns of hemp graded during the month of September were available to-day.. The total number of bales graded was 4562, of which Wellington contributed 55.96 per cent. The quality of each grade dealt with was as follows : Fine, 5.2 per cent. ; good fair, 46.8 per cent. ; fair, 41.4 per cent. ; common, 6.07 per cent. ; rejected, .35 per cent. As compared with tho previous month there was an increase of 2162 bales graded, but a decrease of 68 bales on the corresponding month of last year. For the six months ended 30th September the number of bales graded was 28,991 bales, as compared With 27,246 bales for the corresponding peri'-d of last year an increase of 1745 bales. A number of mills have reopened and a considerable increase in the output may be expected from now onwards.

A concomitant of advancing summer is an increased demand for berthing space at tho Wellington wharves. Tonage is attracted as the productive powers of the country revive and the wool, meat and dairy produce are ready to be borne overseas. It is anticipated that the forthcoming season will "be an exceptionally busy one for export purposes, and all the available accommodation at the wharves will be required. In view of the approach of the busy season, the Union Company's laid-up steamers Te Anau and Rotoiti* which have hitherto occupied the corner berth at the King's Wharf, are being 'removed to the stream, in order that the whole of the King's Wharf shall be available for loading purposes. A strong plank of the Labour platform is the State control of land, as of other things. Yesterday afternoon the Trades and Labour Conference resolved that the Government be urged to gradually reduce the private areas of land, so that no one person can hold more than 1000 acres of first-class land, and 3000 acres of second class. A further resolution was that the Government be urged to increase the graduated land tax with a view to reducing the present areas of land. " I am surprised," said a Canterbury delegate at the Trades and Labour Conference to-day, "when I go round Wellington to see the enormous hold the Yellow race has already got here to-day." He was referring to the danger of" invasion by the Yellow race. The -Wellington Trades and Labour Council will entertain delegates to the Trades Councils' ConferaiiL-e at a smoke concert in the Druids' Hall tonight. To-morrow, the general body of Boy | Scouts will meet at the city boundary, Miramar, at 2.30 p.m., when it is proposed to manoeuvre in the vicinity of Seatoun, permission having been given to work over certain private grounds. The site of Oruaili Pa, near Seatoun Forts, will also be visited, and tracking, etc., will bo practised. The postal authorities advise that the I Victoria, which left Sydney on Wednesday last for Auckland, has on board an English and Australian mail for Wellington, which is due here by the Auckland express on Monday next. For allowing cows to wander, James Knight was convicted in the Stipendiary Magistrate's. Court to-day, and ordered to pay costs (7s). The Onslow Borough Council prosecuted. In the Magistrate's ' Court * to-day, Thomas Ryan was fined £3, with costs 19s, for using obscene language in Cour-tenay-place. The alternative was fixed at 14 days' imprisonment. John O'Donaghue, a prohibited person, was charged with procuring liquor, and fined 40s, with costs 7s; in default seven days' iinprisw jnt. Accused was allowed time to pa} . Another prohibited person — Walter Patrick Mil lane— Kvns charged with entering licensed premises and was also mulcted in the sum of 4CK, with costs 7s, the alternative in his -case being fixed at 48 hours.' imprisonment. Wonderland will bo open to-morrow afternoon and eyeing.