FALL IN PRICE OF FLAX.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8967, 18 April 1890, Page 2

FALL IN PRICE OF FLAX.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —Referring to the above, is it not self-evident that the drop in Manila is the cause rather than the inferior quality of New Zealand hemp? Were this not so, Manila should be rising in price owing to the extra demand, but I suppose the shippers in Manila, like the millers here, “ went off their chumps ” a bit, and fancying the market could never be supplied, kept working day and night. As for rubbish going Home, the merchant or shipper can stop this effectually in one day by refusing to advance upon a single bate until a guarantee of the quality of its contents are given. Let the merchant then examine an occasional bale, and if they are not up to warranty, let them remain in the sheds at the miller’s risk and expense. This will bring people to their bearings quicker than anything I know of, and not till then will we have (that uniform quality of New Zealand hemp that the consumers are always demanding from us. I have shipped over two thousand bales, and not one of them has ever been repudiated, Hastheenclosed guarantee that I give anything to do with it?—l am, &c., W. R. Weight. [The guarantee referred to by Mr Wright is a printed form containing the following statement: —“I hereby guarantee the inside and outside hanks in the undermentioned bales uniform in quality, free from damp and full weight.”— Ed.]