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Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1927, Page 2

Inchhaski) attention is being paid to the cultivation of New Zealand hemp (phormitim Umax), and a conference representative of every interest in the industry lately held in Wellington, considered the finality and grading of the fibre. It is held Unit there is room for improvement in the quality manufactured, anil that there is too much of the lower grades (high fair and low lair (turned out. Last year production represented by gradings amounted to approximately 81,000 hales of hemp ami 25.003 hales tow. it reduction in the hemp graded of 5.000 hales. The industry received a- severe cheek it few years hack in the Mnnawatti district, whence the greater part comes, through what was called “yellow leaf’’ disease. Some large areas went altogether out of hemp, the land being put to other purposes. But the disease litis now been overcome, and in fact is not heard of in the locality. Different means of cutting the plant have been tried and found satisfactory, although costing somewhat more in .labour. In some localities in the north of the North Island the (lax. as it is called, is being planted. Usually it is harvested from swamps and is'not grown as a crop. Nearly £500,000 was subscribed last year for new llax enterprises. and special attention is being given to swamp areas in the Auckland district. There are many of these, and the land is too costly for reclaiming for farm purposes under present conditions. Indeed, with good management, reasonable returns i-iim the London and Massachusetts markets, and the con-, sidernhle Australian demand, (lax is as good as—and sometimes much better—than farming in the ordinary wav. Much, of cotise, depends upon the quality of the article turned out in the mills, and the attention the fibre receives when in the bleaching paddocks. Interest in flax growing in Westland is reviving, and there is every reason why the industry should expand here. I lie country and climate is suitable for the full growth of flax, and it is more than likely that in a short time to come many swamp areas will ho turned to greater value in the district by the more intensive cultivation of flax. The possibilities of success are certainly very promising.