NEW ZEALAND TOW.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 439, 27 October 1908, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TOW.

Letter From a London Merchant.

“ A Downright Disgrace.”

Mr P. J. Hennessy received a letter yesterday from Messrs Eandauer and Co., merchants, of London, in reference to the exportation of New Zealand tow’, which demands the immediate attention of flaxmillers, otherwise irreparable harm may be occasioned to this important branch of the hemp industry. The letter says ;—“ We are experiencing the greatest difficulty on account of the inferiority of quality of shipments of New Zealand tow. It is not so much a question of the tow itself being in - ferior, but more a question of false packing, a large percentage of sawdust and other foreign material being included in the bales, and it is a downright disgrace that the packers, w’hoever they may be, should resort to this, because it only harms the interests of the Dominion in general. We beg you to bring the matter before the notice of the proper authorities, with a view of getting this evil remedied, or otherwise we feel sure the use of New Zealand tow will be largely curtailed. We are bringing the matter before the New Zealand Government, and hope that you will co-operate with us with a view of having this article packed in a proper manner, free from woithless material on which it is a shame one should have to pay a freight of about £3 los per ton, seeing that no value whatever attaches to it.” Ativiae is Li* Jaricet. The same merchants write re the Hemp Industry as follows: “ Cables have been exchanged as per copies herewith, but we regret no business has resulted. Evidently your market is a long time reaching the parity of ours. It is an indisputable fact that unless New Zealand Hemp declines iu value to the basis of its relative value as compared with Manila hemp, its use will largely diminish, because twine makers, in order to compete, will have to use the cheapest fibre, and we look for next season’s binder twine being made largely of Manila Hemp. Good seconds Manila hemp are still obtainable in the neighbourhood of £2O per ton, and a manufacturer would need courage indeed to buy his next season’s requirements of hemp by covering the same with New Zealand Hemp at an advance of £3 per ton for fair, and at about £6 to £7 per ton for good fair New Zealand Hemp. Whilst writing our market is steady with sellers on the basis of £26 10s for G.F.A.Q., £23 5s for F.A.Q, £2l common, £9 10s tow.