Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1871.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1114, 7 September 1871, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1871.

We remarked upon a recent occasion that we had received from the Secretary pf the Canfceibury Flax Association an interesting pamphlet published by the .committee of that association containing much information relative to the preparation and utilization of the native flax, and its adaptability to manufacturing purposes. have derived much pleasure frpni a perusal of the pamphlet, and feel convinced that no person could candidly examine the numerous testimonials there collected to the value of the fibre without being ponvinced that, notwithstanding present unpromising appearances, the manufacture is destined to yet occupy a prominent position amongst us. For purselyes, we acknowledge to the cor rectipn of an erroneous opinion based upon what we had learned of the micro scopio analysis of the fibre, which we ponsidered tended to show an inherent "prittleness in it, which no method of preparation could possibly overcome; but we find in fact that in this respect its constitution is precisely the same as the much-vaunted Manila —so much so {hat it is almost indistinguishable from that fibre under the microscope. The analysis we allude to was made by Dr. LI. Powell, of Qhristcliuroh, who as its result says —" In my opinion, it is not possible for the miproscope to distinguish the fibre of 3Vfa iila hemp from that of the New Zealand fiax. . . The ultimate fibres consist of elqngated liber pells, as is the case "with the fibre of the Phqrmium tenax" K"umerp.us testimonials fro in persons well qualified fo jnflge are giyen in faypv of rope made |he flax, especjaUv as t$ fa softw

and pliability under circumstances where both Manila and European rope become hard and difficult to use.

It is greatly to be regretted that, from whatever ca-ise, the feeling against it in the home market should have been so great as to practically stop its production in the Colony. There seems to be ground for the belief that its failure to produce a paying price tvas not altogether owing to its demerits, but rather to the cupidity of a class of manufacturers, who adopted the course they did in order to depreciate the article for their own gain. There is sood reason to believe that what was purchased in England was actually mixed [with Manila hemp, spun into rope, and sold as genuine Manila lope, though containing sometimes 50 per cent, of New Zealand flax-. Rope so manufactured cannot be depended on like rope made from either fibre alone; and we must look for the success of the flax industry to its manufacture in the Colony rather than to its export as a raw material.