Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1929, Page 4

An interesting, not to say informative article, appears in another column today, bearing on the modest flax leaf, .native flax in years past was an important conunoclity, and it promises to regain a good deal of its past favour. It has been remarked that it is curious that after a lapse of a century, the dressed fibre is not so finely finished as

in the days of yore, when the Maoris scraped the leaf with mussel-shells. Under that primitive method, and with a special process of bleaching carried out.'by the natives, a beautifully .sojftjability material was produced. The product was a valuable commedity with tiie natives by way of exchange, and thousands of Maoris were engaged in the task of producing the dressed article. The flax was used in exchange for European treasures such as rifles, gunpowder and lead. But it had its local uses in providing clothing, for it was soft and agreeable to the aboriginal skin, and in addition to providing cloaks, also provided mats, which were used for

so many purposes. Flax nowadays-is used chiefly for producing fibre for commercial purposes, and twq large scale mills will be operating in Westland in the near future, producing the dressed flax, prepared under 1 the latesi scientific principles. Flax .it is known makes excellent paper, also artificial/ silk, and experiments are now going forward in Otago in regard'to the making of corn sacks and wool packs, for which of course there is sure to be a considerable demand if the cost is right. 'Probably to get the best out of the flax, something qf the old-time methods of the natives in their treatment of the article will be adopted. Such a process applied in respect to the producing of artificial silk, should mean a very commendable article, and be in great favour. In the article' published to-day there* is an. outline of the construction of this useful (plant, ’and some interesting . particulars jof its habits Flax has many uses in a homely way in the back blocks where it is available, and information is supplied of the natural construction of the leaf ! whereby it secures its strength. Nature has a won-, derfut way in providing-for all require?;, ments, and in the construction of the flax plant thus feature of botanical’life is well demonstrated. Flax, J due to its strength and services, has played a ; great part in early Maori history, for the natives found it so useful for trading purposes that tribal wars became more general in • the desire to secure more slaves, so that more labour would be available to work up the dressed flax for barter, arid so procure additional implements for warfare Incidentally, there is,’ t 00,., the reference to the; suggestion that the moa has made its contribution to the strengh of flax, a very intriguing theory to account for the' great, strength and texture of the flax, u. ,• .. (j| if ■■ ,