Flax and the Chicago Exhibition.

Manawatu Herald, 15 August 1893, Page 2

Flax and the Chicago Exhibition.

Mr J. G. Wilson put the miserable want of action on the part of the Government, in the matter of sending an exhibit of flax to Chicago, in a very clear manner in his speech on the Financial Statement. He said : — Another matter in regard to which the millers are dissatisfied with the action of the Government is, that they are not being repre- ; sented at the Chicago Exhibition. The value of the hemp exported from this colony this year is £214,000, and it nearly all goes to America to make binding-twine. The millers naturally thought that if a large sample of flax were sent to the Chicago Exhibition that would be the very best advertisement they could get. It is a pity this has not been done. First of all, I tried to . get the Ministers to pay the expenses, which would be very small only £60 or £70. The millers were prepared to find the flax, and to take the risk of sending it there. Messrs McMillan and Rhodes, of Foxton, agreed to take this risk themselves. I may say that I interviewed the Premier about it when he was Minister for Public Works, and said that the millers were prepared to find ten tons of flax if the Government would pay the expenses, the millers taking the risk of losing any money in disposing of the flax subsequently in America. However, he saidJßhe could not see his way to do tnat. The excuse he gave was that the Chambers of Commerce had declined to take the matter up. Still, those interested in the hemp business were not satisfied, seeing the importance of a sample of flax going to Chicago. They then tried another way, and asked if the Government would pay

half the cost ; but the Government refused to do that, and the millers became disgusted and left Ihe matter alone. Now, it may be said that the House decided that the colony _j&puld not be represented at Chicago, itiSyriking £1 off the item of £500, indication of their opinion. I flPnink, however, under the circumif the Government had expended a portion of the money remaining on the estimates, and had come down to the House and said, " This is an object which we consider of sufficient importance to assist," the House would have approved of their action.