FLAX ON HAURAKI PLAINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5086, 9 February 1927, Page 2

FLAX ON HAURAKI PLAINS

INVESTIGATION BY MINISTER.

HON. O. J. HAWKEN IMPRESSED.

A visit to the Haur.aki Plains was made by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. O. J. Hawken, on Monday for the purpose, of ptbaining first-hand information on the prospects of the district for the extensive cultivation of flax.

Naturally, the source from which. the Minister expected to gain the best information was Mr G. Smerle, the recognised authority on phormlum tenax, who is continuing his investigations while growing and milling flax on his peat section near the Ngarua landing. Mr Smerle was able to show the Minister stands of flax o'f various varieties and ages, and to demon-

strate the different methods of cutting and the effect on the growth of the crop. Since he took up his section, less than two and a half years ago,’ Mr Smerle has established a nursery, where plants are raised from seed and where the growth of as many as 43 different varieties is under observation. As he cannot afford to give his time to investigation alone, far Smerle has erected an up-to-date mill far the milling of the crop of flax on his section, and to ensure a continuous supply of leaf he has filled in all gaps with young plants and planted over 60 acres with seedlings. ' INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

When it is considered that ■the average flaxmiller does n°t know that . there are different varieties o'f flax, and that he purchases and mills all classes alike, though some may have a high percentage of fibre and others such a low fibre content as be unpayable, the value, of Mr Smerle’s experiments to ascertain and demonstrate the most suitable variety for Hauraki Plains soilsi as far as growth and productivity are concerned, must be acknowledged to be a great step which will be a benefit tp the industry in general and the Hauraki Plains in particular. Relative to the lack of knowledge and investigation in New Zealand concerning the varieties of flax, it was pointed out by Mr Smerle. to the Minister that samples of fibre nad been obtained by a German bureau, and it had ascertained and reported very fully on the fibre content and into the uses to which the fibre could be put. For the making of high-class writing paper, artificial silk, .and even cigarette papers there was nothing to equal New Zealand flax. As yet New Zealand flax was only used for cordage, etc, and as such was in competition with numerous other fibre-producing planty. These plants were mostly grown in the tropics, where labour was cheap, and though they were nothing like as suitable, they were beating the New Zealand product by reason of greater production, steadiness of supply, and keen amrke.ting. New Zealand flax, keen marketing. New Zealand flax, plant in the world, was the most neglected. POTENTIAL USES. This country imported annually about £850,,000 worth of sacks, woolPRcks., scrim, etc., made o'f foreign fibres. Mr Smerle asserted that this importation could be shopped and the demand supplied by locally-grown fibres. To prove that this is not a mere, assertion, he has| imported from his native country, Latvia, a small complete loom, such as is used by many householders, in that part of the world for the spinning of wool and the making of cloth for their, own clothing. His daughter operates this loom, and in the presence of the Minister on Monday she showed the spinning and weaving o'f tow and stripper slips into scrim. Such' tow and stripper slips are practically a waste product of '-lie pre&ent-day flaxmill. A sack made of, this material by Miss Smerle was shown to the Minister, It appeared to be strong enough to outlast three ordinary imported sacks, and one could not help thinking o£ the Welfare of New Zealand When the value of this industry was realised. Mr Smerle demonstrated what could be done in this direction alone, and the Minister was greatly impressed. Time did n°t permit o'f other uses of the fibre being demonstrated, but Mr Smerle could have shown artificial silk and fibrous plaster wallboards' made with products of the flax plant. PROSPECTS FOR THE PLAINS. When the. colossal value of New Zealand flax is realised and the despised plant is exploited to its utmost; there will probably be no greater wealth-producing district than the - Hauraki Plains in the. whole of the Dominion. Experience has shown that the land is very suitable for the plans, and, in fact, the country contains about 3000 acres which are not so suitable for .anything else. This area, which is roughly south of Kerepeehi, is already carrying very extensive stands o'f excellent flax, and if it were all in flax and scientifically worked, even according to presentday methods, it would, in the opinion of Mr Smerle, be returning in wages alone about £1 an acre a day. Properly worked, there is nothing to equal flax as a wealth-producer. After leaving .Mr Smerle the Minister proceeded to the farm of Mr and Miss Tizard, where an extensive, area of flax which had been side-leaf cut was inspected under the guidance of - Mr G. Tizard.