FLAX.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2294, 13 September 1870, Page 2

FLAX.

The following are the principal recommendations contained in the report of the Flax Commission Committee of the House of Representatives :

1. That a Commission be appointed consisting of three members resident in New Zealand, such Commission to have power to appoint one or two Agents in England to be in. correspondence with the and generally to cany out their instructions. 2. That the duty of the Commission shall be: (i) To visit the chief districts in the colony where flax fibre is prepared. To institute or to assist mechanical experiments of New Zealand flax, with a view to cheapen the cost of manufacture and to improve the quality of the fibre produced. To collect samples of all kinds of fibre produced in quantity, and by processes not precluded by their expense from being generally adopted. And to carefully collate full particulars as to the variety of the plant from which the fibre lias been prepared, and the process of dressing, including Maori-dressed flax. (2.) To send a portion of the samples so collected to the agents before mentioned, with a view to their obtaining from the best authorities a report on the microscopic structure and chemical composition of the New Zealand flax leaf and fibre as compared with Irish flax, Russian and Manilla hemp. (3.) To ascertain, if possible, the reason why Manilla hemp made into rope resists the action of sea water better than the phormium tmax. (4.) The relative capacity of the New Zealand flax fibre and Russian hemp to absorb tar. (5.) That the agents shall act under the instructions of the Commission, not only with regard to the above-named points, but shall also ascertain—(l.) The market value of the fibre and the reason for the different prices obeained. (2.) To place in the hands of manufacturers supplies of the various kinds of flax fibre, with the view of ascertaining |y practical tests to what purposes it can 1)e profitably applied. (3.) To prociite samples (say two or three hundredweight each) of the various fibres that compete in the English market with the phormium tenax, viz., Russian, Manilla, and Italian hemp, jute, g,nd Irish flax, so as to afford information to New Zealand flax dressers as to the quality of fibre which it is desirable should be produced by them. (4.) To submit to makers of flax machines in the mother country samples of our prepared flax, and invite suggestions as to improvements ef the machines usually employed in the colony. (5.) Generally, to ascertain what can be done to extend the use and increase the market value of the flax fibre. 4. That properly qualified officers (if possible in connection with the Customs) should be appointed at each port, who on application by shippers should sample the various bales, and place an official brand thereon, showing its quality as compared with standard samples issued to them by the Oomjpisgion, such classification to be similar to tire manner iu which foreigu-grown hemp or flax is classified, viz., first, second, and third qualities. 5. That until we can fix a standard of what constitutes good New Zeal nd flax fibre, it would not be advisable to have an Exhibition next year, or offer LSOO in prizes. If any money be spent, it should bo applied for ascertaining the best varieties of flax plant which it is desirable to cultivate, and for encouraging the manufacture of ropes, woolpacks, and bagging. \Vjt]} thi? view rewards are recommended to be giyen—To any person op persons who shall manufacture within the Colony 20,000 cornsacks or 5000 wool or 20,000 gunny hags. 0. That there should be an Exhibition in 1872- apd prizes given, not only as proposed in the Government Re. eolations, but also for machinery, 7, That

collections of flax plants of the best-varieties-be made, and information obtained ais todhe uses to which these varieties are severally applied by the Natives ; also the' nature of the soil on which they are found to grow naturally. That such varieties be planted in some suitable locality, in order that the various sorts of flax from different parts of the Colony should be classed under particular head', and information thereon supplied to all persons interested in flax cultivation. The following points should be attended to : —(1.) So soon as each variety has been classed, it should be dressed, with a view of deciding which variety produces the best quality or the largest quantity of fibre for manufacturing purposes, or both. (2 ) It should be ascertained by actual experiment the age at which the leaves should be cut, and the best time of year for doing so ; also the best mode of cutting the leaves, and the time required for the new leaves to arrive at maturity. (3.) Seeds should be collected of the different varieties of flax for the purpose of raising plants for distribution throughout the Colony, and, as far as possible, for determining whether the plants raised froin seed show any marked difference from the original plants. 8. That for the purposes of conducting the above investigation, a sum of LIOOO should be placed by the Government at the disposal of the Commission. 9. Though it would not be advisable to have an Exhibition for prizes in 1871, it is desirable that samples of all varieties of flax fibre prepared in the Colony and in England should be exhibited in Wellington during the next sitting of the Assembly, and information furnished as to the result of all experiments made up to that time.