FUTURE OF FLAX.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4734, 6 August 1924, Page 2

FUTURE OF FLAX.

(To the Editor}. Sir,- -The article on flax-growing in a recent issue of .the “Gazette” has been much discussed by settlers of the Kaihere and .Patetonga dsitricis. Many settlers who destroyed tlie finest possible elands of wild flax now realise the error of their ways. But the destruction cannot altogether be called error, for it was generally only in a few cases, say, where .the land carrying. tiie stand was- not immediately requited for grazing purposes, that any flax was left. It was not usually left for the sole purpose of the flax crop, for the reason that the market for the crop was unreliable and, in addition, tlie price paid was unremunerative. Usually millers, ultimate!) to their own detriment, agreed upon their i espective. territories oi exploitation, and thus were able to dictate terms to the settlers. An existing stand can be cited which has been cut orce during the past nine years, although at the commencement of this period it was millable. Most settlers, therefore, were compelled to resort to the industry from which they wrire sure of a return and converted to grass in .some instances at no little cost. From experience in several flax crops the wiiter can state with assurance that Mr Smerle’s estimate of yield per acre is a conservative one, and that a great deal of the land in the districts mentioned will yield a heavier crop. There is, however, one at le&st very important, factor not mentioned by Mr Smerl.e— though no doubt he is acquainted with it—which must be taken into account, and that its the existence of considerable areas of blackberry, particularly flourishing on unsettled lands. The blackberry is fas assuming control of large areas in the districts mentioned, and seriously threatens the growing of flax in particular. Not only are some settlers carelesis of the great danger, but the State Is the worst offender. Unless something is done, and immediately, to check the spread of the dreaded weed even some of the fine existing stands of flax must give place to grass so that the weed can be controUed. Reverting to your article, it may be said ‘hat the writer desires, and has already heard many settlers express, a keen desire to meet Mr Smerle and hear first-hand expert information regarding the growing of the crop upon a systematic basis with a view to at least improving existing stands. HARAKSKE. '