EXPORT OF FIBRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8305, 8 June 1907, Page 3

EXPORT OF FIBRE.

"CONDEMNED" OR "RE-

JEOTED" HEMP

The Hemp Committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce waited upon the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. R. McNab; on Thursday in connection with the new regulations governing the grading and export of phormium fibre, which are to come into force on September 2nd next. The members of the deputation were Messrs G. Shirtcliffe (A. S. Paterson and Co.) and F. Barkas (New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.), Mabin( Levin and Co.), Reich (Nathan and 60.), Handyside (Murray, Roberts and Co.), and S. Carroll (secretary).

Mr G. Shirtcliffe (chairman of the Chamber) asked for an amendment in the regulation prohibiting the export of condemned fibre, which, he said, would be a grave injustice to millers. The prohibition of the export of condemned fibre meant that ! sellers would be forced to go to New 1 Zealand manufacturers and take practically whatever price they liked to offar. The manufacturers knew the position, and made their own prices. In consequence, the millers did not get the intrinsic value, but from £6 to £10 per ton less. To be logical, the department if it desired to prohibit the export of condemned hemp, should also prohibit the export of twine and rope made out of it. Mr Shirtcliffe read a letter received by his firm from bii Australasian buyer, in which the writer expressed the opinion that the New Zealand Agricultural Department was acting in an arbitrary manner. It was usual in other fibre-producing centres, he said, to allow anything to be exported, provided it was properly described, and this he thought should be the course adopted in New Zealand. Further, condemned hemp should be described as "rejections," instead of "condemned." The latter description was wrong as applied, to fibre, though not as applied to fooc'stuffs. Mr Shirtcliffe went on to say that the deputation did not suggest that the class of hemp aimed at in the regulations should be allowed t» go away unlabelled, but that it should be sold ur der the same restrictions as re- i gards grade as other qualities were; that was to say, it should be labelled '■rejected.'' All the trade wanted was to be able to obtain the intrinsic value of the article. Manufacturers would know that "rejected" hemp was below the grade of "common. If a miller had the misfortune to have a flood and his hemp was thereby graded below "common," it was still suitable for manufacturing purposes, and it was not fair to call it "condemned." There was a very general feeling amongst millers and merchants, also, that the grading department had gradually raised the standard of each grade of late years until it had become very difficult— almost impossible in seme cases—to turn out g.f.a.q. hemp - It was, he considered, a pity that millers should be forced into the position of turning out low grade fibre instead of the better grade they used to turn out. Now, however, it was found to be impossible to satisfy the' grader, and in consequence millers turned their attention to a lower grade, and had to take a much lower price. This meant a substantial loss to the State.

_ Mr. A. E. Mabin said the deputation ought not to_ have been there at aIL The question had been discussed ad nauseum. Mr McNab's predecessor, the Department, and other Ministers had been interviewed, and the trade thought when the Parliamentary Committee, reporting on the matter, said that it saw no reason why the prohibition should not be removed, that the question would be settled. When the new regulations appeared, however, it was found that the prohibition still existed. He appealed to the Minister to remove an injustice that rested on the trade.

Mr J. Rich asked that the Department should consider the question of grading tow. His firm had been receiving strong complaints as to the variation in quality of tow reaching London. It was all sold at the same price, but there was no comparison in valuation. The value of tow exported was about £50,000 a year. He did not think it would be a difficult matter to arrange for grading it. THE MINISTER'S REPLY. In reply to the deputation, the Minister said he would like to see the millers and merchants working to get a set of regulations for efficient production, and for satisfaction. Towards that object he- would do all he could in the direction of making the regulations effect such a result. He quite saw the inconsistency of allowing rejected material to go out to the manufacturer, but not as . raw material. As to the grading question, the graders denied that they had increased the standards. He would go into that matter with the graders. He would not reply to the deputation off-hand, as he wanted to get the opinion of the trade all over the State. Wherever the regulations could be improved upon hp would not have the slightest hesitation in withdrawing them. (Hear, hear.) Mr McNab thought that "rejected" would be a better description than "condemned." He undertook to endeavour, after consulting his colleagues, to make his decision known by July Ist. Mr Mabin: Will the regulations come into force on September 2nd? The Minister: Yes, but they may be amended. in regard to the questions you have raised. If so, it will not affect the question of shortage of notice.

Mr Mabin then asked that there should be some appeal from graders* decisions, which under the regulations were absolutely final at present.

Mr McNab said he would have no objection at all to the chief grader being called in in cases of genuine disputes.