MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD Circulation, 3,200 Copies Daily. MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1906. THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8154, 2 April 1906, Page 4

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD Circulation, 3,200 Copies Daily. MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1906. THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Some impressions of the New Zealand hemp industry possess more lhafc passing interest at present when so much discussion is taking place in regard to this important article of export. Mr T* Hogg, who is a director of a big Melbourne firm of rope and twine manufacturers, is at present ivisitint the colony. In speaking to a Welling-j ton pressman, aie said the manufaeturers were highly p] eased in a general' sense with the work done by the De partmenfc /in; the grading of the fibr*T and they did not approve of anyiooseu**g of the methods whieh are now in force, as they considered thev are alike fair to the miller and 'to the buyer. Continuing he said" Although incidentally there may be grievances fiom the millers' pojnt of view, still, on the whole, we think that the Department's classifiers endeavor to bold the balance fairly between all parties, and we readily buy oil the certificate of the 7 epartment, never challenge it. It is .lust possible that in minor directions there may be differences in respect to the methods of grading, but the

buyers are quite prepared to meet the millers upon any of these points though all should set. their -face - strongly against anyfluag that v«-ould tend to reduce the quality of worWs demand for fibre seems.at , the moment to be in excelsof th? world's ■production; consequently, if i a JS'ew Zealand there are any lands thaUan be profitably devoted to the growth of hemp it would be a vrise thing for the Government to take up the matter; properly,, and see that such a Valuable asset is used to it* utmost; present prices are certainly abnormally high but as the controlling factor, in Manila produce shows no evidence of receding, it is probable that rate# will be maintained, althoughofcourscit is very difficult to say whatamonthor two a»y da. iu that dim iioa. lathe J^ip.

jnaeis greivr' datin by a lljele months to recover, 'It that recovery u made wo may spe eafriejr biit- M agamsfc this il muit be rmew&erid that tbe great demand for Efyrftis, winjjj to' the growing need for and the great, expsoffioji o£ farminjjJm* Canada would point totbe quireraents for fibre exceeding the production for some time to «otae-" * $her« is another class that >"tw Zealand can produce, add. that isfche tree ilax, sew Zealand hemp i» sometimes called Has, but it /W* i'bormiutti tenax that is your - fibre. The true tiax its grown ,irt l tha older countries, au<l to a ?mali extent it isi now being grown in Vietom/bfit Itt ]Sew Zealand, especially m the Sogth v it could be grown tnoafc profitably* , A* showing the great advance io pricesjust before the Spanish-American war we bought fine hemp at £1210»in Zealand. To-day itf cannot be bought for £30. Tftere is also a great I 'demand, for tow for many purposes. If the Government lias swamps that Will grow hemp, it seems to mc that a valuable product is being neglected."