SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1896. THE NEW ZEALAND HEMP INDUSTRY,

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3007, 19 December 1896, Page 2

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1896. THE NEW ZEALAND HEMP INDUSTRY,

If any evidence wore wanting to prove the sincerity of flaxmillers in their laudable to secure the appointment of an accredited representative to investigate the fibre markets of the world, no stronger proof could bo shown than ia to be found in a perusal of the subscription • lists now in circulation for this purpose. From some of those wo find' that nearly every flaxmillor, storekeeper and trader in Foxton (the principal flax district in New Zealand) lias contributed to the fund. The fiaxmillora and traders of Blenheim, another'flax centre, are also responding to the cull upon them. With such valuable testimony before us, we make no apology for again directing attention toa this important industry, and would remind our readers that a revival of the Kew Zealand hemp trade means the direct employ, ment of many thousands of men and boys who would bo engaged lu its manufacture, while at the same time increased trade would be secured for railways, iron founders, harbour boards, shipping companies, coal merchants, insurance Companies and geAsral importers throughout this Colony. It is an industry which distributes more money amongst the commercial community than ! any other trade, and, consequently, is de- ! serving of the practical support of every merchant and storekeeper in Now Zealand. There are those who well remember the activity of the shopkeepers in this city daring the flax boom of 1890. The general prosperity was then commented npdn, Large suras of money wore freely spefifc by the workers engaged in the trade. Looking over the Rogistrar-Goneral'ft statistics we find the value of the export of flax for that year reached the enormous sum of .£332,000 —the output of 177 mills giving direct employment to 3200 men and boys. Last year our output dwindled to £21,00 K No wonder, then, that we find suoh an honest, persistent endeavour made by the fiaxmillera to restore this trade, which moans so much to them, their wives and families. Indeed, we should bo well within the mark in estimating that a revival of the trade means the direct support of 15,000 parsons. The producers have from time to time considered the best means of establishing the industry on a pormvnont footing and havo at lost hit upon a plan which is*generally admitted to bo the best and mo<t reliable.that.can bo adopted as a solution of the difficulties which at present surround tho trado, and that, as wo have already pointed out, is the appointment of an , expert agent. ' Oar hemp is specially suitable for the everincreasing consumption of binder twine. The ; annual sale of this article in the United | States reaches 60,000 tons, whilst in Canada

the consumption is upwards of 25,000 tons. Wo believe oar raw material only requires to bo moro generally known to command larger ealo and higher prices in the markets of the world. The victory in all mercantile matters is scoured by those who take tho troablo to pash their goods under the eye of the consumer. For instance, we observe this in such woll-known'and apparently wollmado articles as sheep dip, reapers and binders, or tho übiquitous bicycle, and even in the case of the cap which cheers but does not inebriate. No matter how excellent the goods may be, all manufacturers uso every legitimate means in their power by bringing their special lines undo.* the notice of buyers, and making special efforts to ascertain th* exact wants of customers, by which means sales arc oftentimes increased a hundredfold. So will j it bo with New Zealand hemp. Wo have every reason to believe that tho proposed mission of a fax export will bo successful in placing tho flax industry on a permanent footing, and wo cordially recommend tho movement to every colonist for some practical support. With such large flax centres as Foxtoa and the Wairarapa in close to tho city wo feel certain that we only require to direct attention of tho traders of Wellington to help forward a cause of such vast importance to New Zealand, and to "this district in particular. As an illustration of the falling off of the trade at this port wa may mention that we exported 81,536 bales of hemp for the 12 months ending 30th September, 18 J O, which has since fallen to BU4 bales in 1805. The Government have promised .£2so' towards the rais-dun, providing a similar sum be raised by those interested in the trade. Already we learn that the flaxmillers have ceived a moat liberal and generous offer of a free passage foe tho export to and from Canada from Messrs Hiiddart, Parker and Co., which that Arm have since supplemented by a donation from their local office. Thievery excellent load has been followed by subscriptions from Captain Eckford, of tho Neptune, tho

Union Steam Ship Company, Limited, Messrs Staples and Co., Bing, Harris and Co., D.1.C., Manawatu Railway Company, Hallensfcein Bros., W. and J. Marria, of Westport,and many others. We shall be pleased to hear that tho banking and other large institutions have lent a hand to help this national movement. Sub* soriptiona can bo placed to the credit of tho Flax Expert Account with any branch df the Bank of Now Zealand, which has kindly undertaken to recoize donations throughout the Colony. And, finally, let us say that there can bo no question about the fitness of Mr John Holmes for the position of expert agent. Ho is enthusiastic, knows all there is to bo known of the trade and its capabilities, can give practical and reliable information as to the nature of the business which may bo done with this Colony; but, above all, ho possesses the confidence of the people who are closely-connected with tho flaxinlastry. Under all those circumstances, there seems not the slightest reason for delay. The money necessary to tho carrying out of the mission of Mr Holmes ought to be readily enough raised, and doubtless the Govern* ment —if more money bo necessary—will increase their subscription in proportion to that given by private individuals. Meantime, we would urge despatch.