THE FLAX TRADE.

Southland Times, Issue 19471, 26 November 1904, Page 2

THE FLAX TRADE.

— «, As the result of a visit to Wellington Mr I. W. Raymond was able to tell a reporter on Monday that tho standard) set by the hemp graders at Wellington was no higher than that observed at the Bluff, This confirms the statement mado by Mr Fulton, tke chief fibre expert, that all the grading in the colony is done to one standard, arid any difference there may be between tho material from one port and that from another is attributable to tho fact that the fibre at one port is awarded a higher number of points than fibre in the same grade at another port. For instance, f fair average " at Wellington may commonly run at 72 or 73 points, whereas " fair average "• at the Bluff may obtain no more tha* the minimum necessary to enter the grade. It is this difference in the milling rather than a variable standard of grading which has given rise to the impression that the graders at the different ports had different standards. It is very satisfactory to learn that a general Improvement is taking place in the quality of the fibre graded at the Bluff. If, as is stated, a considerable portion of the "fair" grade at the Bluff reaches from 70 to 73 points, then the Southland millers have effected a marked improvement In their methods, for It is a matter of common knowledge that most of Southland's fibre has hitherto just "scraped" into the " fair" i grade. Indeed, the millers have openly stated that it was to thoiu advantage to aim at no more than the minimum number of points, as they received no compensating! increase in price foip- the 4&twww involved in gaining 10 or II extra" points in the same grade. While this policy was pursued, and Southland " fair " grade was running at 62 and 63 point 9, while Wellington *' fair " grado was running at 72 and 73, there was every opportunity of trouble arising between the exporter and the foreign buyer. Tho rise in quality in Southland will, make towards uniformity throughout tho colony and leave less room for dispute. But why should the bulk of Southland's output not reacfii the " good fair " grade ? The difference between the market quotations for the two grades is now such thatHt must pay the millers to produce " good fair/ and we have had it from Mr Fulton more than once that there is no /j&tason why " good fair " should not be the regular grade for .Southland fibre. There is no natural obstacle in tho way, and all that is necessary for success is that the millers should improve their knowledge of their business ami exercise greater strictness in supervision. In connection with this matter Mr Raymond mentioned that he was struck by the fact that the deliveries of " good fair "at Wellington seemed to bo more general than at Bluff. Mr Raymond's observation was quite correct. The great; proportion of the fibre exported from Wellington is " good fair." This we pointed out a month or two ago when. Mr Fulton's report appeared in the annual report of the Agricultural Department. There it was shown that of 72,348 bales graded at Wellington 52,437 were of " good fair " quality, while of 17,817 bales graded at the Bluff only 9718 were " of, " good fair '•' quality. In other words 72 per cent, of the total deliveries-: *t- -Btellington was "good fair" fibre, while* "atTtfie Bluff the proportion was only 54 per cent. Now that the general average in the " fair " grade in Southland has risen by almost 10 points the millers might very well be at some pains to gain an extra 3 or 4 points, so as to put their product into tho next highest grade. . When the next official report is made upon Southland fibre we hope not only to see tne reported general improvement in the " fair "grado confirmed, but a 1 marked- increase in the proportion of the fibre which reaches the " good fair ." grade.