The Evening Star TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2044, 23 November 1869, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1869.

The Commissioners appointed to enquire into the best method of utilising the New Zealand flax, after directing their attention to its growth and cultivation, proposed thirty-five questions respecting its manufacture. We cannot compliment them upon the order in which they are put nor upon many of the questions themselves. They appear as if they had been suggested by the various Commissioners and noted down

as each gave utteiance to his idea, I without revision, and with very little attention to arrangement. Perhaps however this may be partly attributable to the minute investigation they propose to institute ; and certainly if all the questions are satisfactorily replied to, an exhaustive report on the subject may be furnished. The first question is purely statistical and has reference to the number of flax-works, their L situations and proprietary. The second asks, How is the flax brought to each. mill which seems a rather trivial inquiry when the question that immediately follows is What is the cost of each ton of green flax at the mill. The Commissioners might, one would have thought, have been satisfied with answers to the last, without being too curious as to the first. But in inquiries of this sort it will not do to be too critical. That which is needed is information ; and the more minute and copious it is, the more likely to bo serviceable in developing a special industry. Another good effect will result from the inquiry: it will direct the attention of flax manufacturers to investigation and emulation. It is by no means impossible that many have entered upon the work without that strict inquiry into cost of production, that these queries will lead to. It is therefore to be hoped that no impediment will be raised in the minds of those to whom they are addressed, to answering them on account of their searching character. There is not one question put, that a manufacturer should not have had an answer to before he entered upon the speculation ; and if there are any that have escaped the attention of some, the suggestion of them may lead to such change of process as will tend to render it more profitable. There is also this consideration : a market has to be established at remunerative prices. New Zealand flax, in some respects, has advantages as an article of export, that are not enjoyed by many fibrous products, ft has a reputation for strength of fibre, and is not liable to severe competition with other countries. In this respect it differs from wool, cotton, European flax, and hemp. All these can be grown in various places, and, consequently, competition in them is somewhat severe. But at present, at least, the Pkormium tenax is peculiar to New Zealand, and has resisted all attempts at acclimatisation. If therefore it can be so dressed as to bring it into regular demand, a branch of trade will be opened up the importance of which can scarcely be over-rated. Nor can it be said that manufacturers compete with each other. The supply is never likely to be so large as to glut the European markets. There is therefore every reason to give the fullest information that can be furnished. By comparing the answers received improved methods will be suggested. One person may have discovered what another has overlooked ; one may have adopted laborsaving processes that others may never have thought of; one may have discovered profitable ways of disposing of refuse that another may adopt advantageously. Some may feel disappointed in the result of theirinvestraents; already several have failed; the answers to the questions of the Commissioners may point out how loss may be avoided, and a profit realised. In the infancy of a manufacture of the sort, all engaged in it have a common interest and should seek to help each other. The fourth question states the object of those that follow :—“ What are the various pro- “ cesses through which the flax is “ put 1 ?” The details asked are, the number of persons employed in each process; whether the labor is piece or day work ; if the lashings are worked as green flax; the best mode of carriage to avoid heating; the length of time it may be kept on hand before being worked up ; how it can be kept fresh and pliable; the cost of fibre per ton, to include cost of machinery, wear, tear, rent, insurance, and other charges ; the price obtained, where sold, cost of transport, baling and packing ; machines used, makers’ names and addresses; number of machines, annual wear, tear, and duration; diameter of stripping drum, revolutions per minnte, diameter and revolutions of feeding rollers, quantity dressed by each machine per hour or per day of eight hours; motive power used; power necessary for each machine; mechanical or chemical appliances for cleansing and drying the flax ; the time required for each operation; the weight of green flax to a ton of fibre ; the disposal of refuse; the use of the gum and the uses to which the fibre may be put. It is quite possible that the answers to some of tire inquiries may involve replies that would deprive inventors of the fair use of a patent right, which otherwise might be obtained. We think that, should such bo really the case, and that right can bo satisfactorily established, as a reward for the information, the recommendation of the Commissioners ought to secure it for the inventor, free of cost. Tlie patent laws of the Colonies are serious obstacles to

invention. The expense of obtaining a patent is enormous compared ■with the ' advantages to bo realised, and we have * often thought that any invention likely i to be of wide-spread utility should be ; purchased at a fair price by the Government, who should allow the universal use of it on payment of a license fee proportioned to the value. Many important processes, through want of this equitable mode of rewarding inventors, die with those who discover them ; for they will not give for public benefit that which has cost them time and money to attain. Special rewards are conferred upon prospectors who discover goldfields ; on what fair principle are the more tedious and arduous discoveries in science ignored ?