NATIVE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1989, 9 July 1880, Page 3

NATIVE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Association for the fostering and encouraging of Native Industries and Productions was held at the Corn Exchange, last evening, when Mr M. Murphy read an exhaustive and valuable paper on the manufacture of linseed oil, oil cake and fibre from European flax and its suitability to the soils and climate of Now Zealand. There was a large attendance, Mr Robert Allan being in the chair.

Mr Murphy prefaced his remarks by alluding to the advantages which may be derived from the opening up of new industries, with a view to the development of onr numerous agricultural and other resources. It was admitted by those who had capital invest sd, either in culture of the soil or in mercantile pursuits, that the time had arrived when, if the prosperity of New Zealand is to be continued, other moans and systems than those hitherto resorted to will have to be adopted. His remarks would have reference to the agricultural interests as well as to the growth and manufacture of New Zealand flax. No greater proof of (he wonderful fertility of our soil could be found than that shown by the general corn averages throughout the colony from year to year, as compared with any . other country in the ■world ; bnt such supremacy could not, under onr present want of system, be long maintained, nor would exist now but for the large area of maiden soils brought under crop. The necessity for supplementing ordinary cereal crops under cultivation by others, to insure profit, was made patent by the results of our late bountiful harvest, the local and intercolonial markets being glutted to such an extent, especially as regards oats and barley, as to rob the producer of his lookod-for profit. Wheat would always find a market in England, and probably oats and barley as well, but it was doubtful whether the two latter would always pay for shipping. It behoved them to leave the beaten track of incessant corn-growing, and learn what income may be derived from auxiliary crops. Mr Mnrphy proceeded to treat of European flax (Linum ÜBitatissimum), the introduction of which was engaging attention at the present time in Victoria. An experiment had already been made in Now Zealand by Dr. Ourl to test the growth of this flax, and he found that it grew well daring summer, and yielded a crop of both seed and fibre that compared favorably with quantities grown in Europe to the acre. The speaker proceeded to advocate the introduction of flax as a farm crop, to take its place in the regular rotation, to be cultivated specially for its seed, to be used for the manufacture of linseed oil and oil-cake from the residue of the crashed seed for feeding purposes, and the fibre to be utilised for ■twine making. He quoted authorities and estimates to show that the probable return from a seed crushing plant costing say £SOOO, wenld yield equal to 22 per cent, profit on -outlay, and, in addition, a largo business could be done in the manufacture of twine from flax.

Mr Murphy was listened to with great interest, and hia paper will appear iu full in the

“New Zealand Country Journal.” Samples of flax seed, linseed, crude and crushed hemp, &0., were exhibited on the table, Mr Banks guaranteed £2O a ton up to ten tons for flax seed raised in the colony next Mr J. P. Jameson, in some eulogistic remarks, moved a vote of thanks to Mr Murphy, which was seconded by Mr Woods, and carried by acclamation.