THE HEMP MARKET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8544, 26 March 1908, Page 5

THE HEMP MARKET.

Discussing the hemp- market, the Evening Post says: —Private advices which were received last week intimated that a slightly better feeling existed, and this is confirmed by the High Commissioner's message, which states "that there are signs of improvement in the market, with a better demand." Good fair grade, on the spot, has increased in value 15s a ton, whilst Manila has risen £2. The decreased shipments of New Zealand hemp will help to stiffen the market, 2478 tons having been shipped last month, as compared with 3447 tons for the corresponding period last year. A large number of mills in the Wellington and Manawatu districts have practically closed down. It has been suggested that the Government should communicate with the British Consul at Manila in order to obtain a report upon the present position of the industry in the Philippine Islands. What is wanted are reliable statistics, compiled by an unbiassed authority, as to the quantity likely to be exported from Manila; also, it is of great importance to ascertain if the Americans have really succeeded in devising machinery to treat Manila. The Now Zealand hemp-millers will be all the more able to meet effectively their greatest competitors when they know definitely what means they adopt. Tho New Zealand Government lent its, chief expert, Mr Fulton, to the British Colonial Office in connection with the St. Helena experiment in hemp-growing, and tho Home authorities would no doubt be glad of an opportunity to reciprocate Regarding the-question of labour, our contemporary says: —"Unskilled labour has participated in the good times enjoyed by the hemp industry in New Zealand. A year ago there were 240 mills, employing over 4000 hands, and disbursing £227,000 in wages. So long as high prices ruled in England and America millers were able to pay a rate of wages certainly not illiberal, in addition to heavy royalties and remunerative freights. But the industry failed to escape the disastrous wave of depression, the sequel of which is a collapse in quotations. It has, therefore, to adjust itself to the altered conditions; neglect of which may be the forfeiture of valuable markets secured after years of pioneer work. The position is not without hope, however, when labour shows that it realises the difficulties that confront the millers. Certain flax workers in Southland, we learn, have taken the initiative, and to assist the mills to keep going have offered to accept a reduced rate of wages. We hope this commonsense attitude will find adherents in other districts. With the advent of winter, it is surely a short-sighted policy for the flax workers to doggedly insist upon the "whoie loaf." The millers would have no alternative but to stop their machinery. Tho riiore cheerful tone in London, reflected by the improved quotations, makes the present an opportune time for pourparlers between millers and their employees. Roj-altics. in many cases, have been substantially reduced; freights, it is stated, are to be revised; and with the co-operation of the men the industry should 'make good. , "