VALUABLE PRODUCT

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1932, Page 6

VALUABLE PRODUCT

AN INDUSTRY OF PROMISE i A LIFETIME WITH FLAX. There is much discussion nowadays concerning tile possibilities of finding new uses for New Zealand flax. Tew people are aware of the wonderful properies of flax, and iewer still are acquainted with the nature of the plant and its product hemp. It is a notable circumstance that pliorium tenax (N.Z. flax) is indigenous only to New Zealand and Nonolk Island. The first record of New Zealand flax, appears- in Captain Cook’s diary of 1768-71, wherein he mentions that the hemp from the plant makes much better rope than that used upon British ships.

From early times the natives have utilised flax for clothing, mats, bafekets and other requisites.

All flax in New Zealand was band prepared until 1860, when the first dressing machine was evolved, and the flax trade then entered upon a new era. By 1873 New Zealand had many mills which were producing fibre worth a total of £140,000. Haphazard methods of preparation and marked variation in quality brought retribution, and the flax industry lapsed into a 20-year slump, '4’he most pressing need was systematic grading, and in 1901 the New Zealand Government put tlie Flax Grading and Export Act of. 1901 on tbe Statutes and an official grader was appointed, under the Department of Agriculture. With a view to obtaining an authoritative account of tbe flax industry and some particulars of the flax plant a representative of “The New Zealand .Magazine” had a talk with Mr William Petrie, chief Government hemp grader. Mr Petrie is deeply ‘ steeped in flax lore, accumulated in 36 years’ close association with ■’ the flax and hemp industry. He is a native of the .Mutha district, Otago, and started to learn about flax and hemp 36 years ago at Kaitangata, Otago, and commencing as a flax hand and working his way up. There was a wide acreage of flax in Otago in those days, aiid iff is still prolific in the vicinity of Kaitangata. One of the first flax-mills in the Clutha district was started on Mr Petrie’s father’s farm about 43 years ago.

FORTY VARIETIES OF N.Z. FLAX. “There are over forty known distinct varieties of New Zealand flax, explained Air Petrie. “Of these about six are most desirable for commercial purposes. The several species of New Zealand'flax vary in fibre content from 4 to 25 per cent. The best varieties grow in practically any part of New Zealand, irrespective of climate; It is thought by many that our flax "id grow well only in wet, swam) y ground. This is quite a misconception, due to the fact that prior to the advent of intense cultivation, li-es and grazing of stock gradually drove flax uadi until in many areas it Ims been seen growing only in swamp lands too wet to burn. As a matter of tact, flax grows splendidly in ordinary ploughed fields.

“New Zealand flax occupies live years in growing from a seedling to the maturity providing in ilia bio flax. The leaves can then be cut for the mills on an average of every 3.J- years. Luenliivoted flax of n species normally used Mir fibre will yield about £ls an aeie. This means a lialf-a-tou of mill, d libitand by-products (i.e., tow used for upholstery, fibrous plaster, mattress making and spinning into rope, and stripper slips ultimately used loi cheap lashing). Under proper management, flax planted and cultivated should give a much higher return.

SELF-RENEWING PLANTS. “The flax plant never dies from senility, -but keeps on renewing itseli by its roots spreading and sending out new ‘fans’ (leaves). 'I lie best species are noticeable ats a rule owing to tlie ‘fans’ standing more erect tha.i inferior kinds, denoting a bigger fibre content.

“The cutting season varies from August-up to May. The mills generally dose during May, June and July. After the leaves are cut they are taken to the milks usually by tram. At the mills the green material is stripped off by machinery known as a flax-strip-per. Tiie fibre is then automatically washed, after which it is spread in the open on the ground, in what are termed bleaching fields, for four days. The fibre is turned over and left bleaching for another four or five days, hollow mg that the fibre is bung on wires to dry before being gent to tlie scutching house. The scutching is usually done by hand, but automatic mnohiiipry is used at certain mills. The hemp is .subsequently put up in 4- ewt. bales, pressed, and delivered to an official grading store.”

A VALUABLE PRODUCT. At present, even under the mos 1 efficient methods, only a 13 per cent, average of fibre is obtained on of tinleaves. which clearly indicates nni’de room for improvement. The N.Z. Scientific and Industrial Research Department and many private individual are working on the problem.

“In all average year, within the pa«f decade, tlie output of the (lax in11■ ic v:«liif»il ni 000.’ said Mr Petrie. “Unfortunately, til natural areas of flax in this coimtrv an' gradiidl.v diminishing, and this sb ->iLI be eon id cruel ed as far as possible. Settlers where there are large

acreages of flax should appreciate it as an asset. About 35,000 acres o* natural flax is still growing, of which one can estimate about two-thirds are made use of for fibre. The remainder is more or less inaccessible for milling. “There is no doubt that flax is a most valuable product. From land with natural flax normally used f r fibre production, £ls can be obtained par acre when prices stand at £27 for nigh fair.’ Up-to-date, 12,000 acres have been planted in flax, 10,000 aire,' of which are in the Auckland province the total planted areas for New Zealand' representing roughly buildings capital without the milling buildings and machinery.

’’One reason for optimism is the discovery of a young New Zealand chemist, Mr Cogliill, Dunedin, of a Process for treating pl|ormium doth highly suitable for the manufacture of wool-packs and general sacking, the doth being particularly strong an I fee from loose fibres. 1 under,stand there is every likelihood of. weaving factories becoming established in the near future, and wtli an outlet for our fibre in . this direction, would undoubtedly place the flax industry on ? sound- footing, and also- largely ‘ assist in tlie problem of unemplo;.nr nt.” Sneaking of unemployment. Air Petrie said: “The flax industry, under normal conditions, gives direct employment to som’e 1,600 m ii, putting into circulation' a sum roughly £280.000 received in wages. This mens that the industry pay,s about £7 per acre pe’r annum in wages, so that with the advent of weaving factories, it iri not difficult to realise that the industry will 'be of very considerable value to those directly concerned, and indeed to New Zealand .generally. “There are definite indications of improved methods in treating the leaves beng brought to a successful issue, so that taking a general view of tlie position, the outlook at present i,5 comparatively bright.

AY HERE OUR FLAX GOES. 'Our main export markets are Australia United States, Canada and Great Britain. A percentage also goes to Antwerp and Germany. Between 2,00(1 and 3.000 tons are usually consumed annually in New Zealand for rope and twine manufacture. Australian manufacturers express the highest opinion oi the New Zealand hemp when it is. propcily milled. The New South Wales and Vi-torinn Raiwavs- are big users of rope made from New Zealand flax, and their officials state that they have no complaint- as to its breaking strain.

“The world’s annual consumption <4 hard fibre' is about 400,000 tons. The present low prices are not owing to 'l'cffnn Pul d"e t" tie financial crisis all over the world. The only important competitor of New Zealand flax is sisal, ivhii h is grown ;n Java, .Mexico and East A'frie->.” Mr Pel 1 ie s'id. ill conclusion, that \,-w Zeabind flux i rodm-e. more fibre •u>r ton th-'ii -nv ol’-or text do phint i lie world ov-'-r, and <un be grown on land not yol in profitable < besides. II “ iids lo develop country rather than town labour.