THE HEMP INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 79, 30 September 1914, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY

It was thought that the war would have a detrimental effect on the fibre industry, but there is little evidence of this at present, writes Mr. W. H. Ferris, Chief Hemp Grader, in the Agricultural Journal. The majority of tho mills in the Manawatu district are running at full pressure. It is rather early for fibre shipments in other districts, and it is probable mills in some localities will not resume operations until things are more settled. The season has favoured early harvesting of the leaf. The swamps are in good condition, and the leaf is in a particularly healthy state, a vast improvement being noticeable on that of the leaf available during the past two seasons. The quality of the fibre reaching the grading ports of Wellington and Foxton proves the soundness of the leaf now being milled. The weather has been ideal for hemp-milling, the good colour of the lines being graded showing that excellent bleaching conditions must have been experienced. As the work of stripping is satisfactory, a high-class product is being turned out, millers evidently realising that with the good leaf available it; is a comparatively simple matter to turn out a choice fibre.' Given reasonable shipping facilities, there is no reason to feel alarmed as to the season's prospects. Everything points to an improved demand for binder-twine in Australia and America, and good values should therefore rule for New Zealand phormium-fibre.