Flax.

Manawatu Herald, 20 February 1894, Page 2

Flax.

We are indebted to the Chairman of the Flaxnaillers Association for the following : — The Government have at length bestirred themselves and gazetted the bonus for improved machinery. They seem in earnest to do something for the flax industry. At the request of the Flaxniillers Association the cost of bringing competing machinery to the place of trial will be paid for, and all expenses of building and power. In the case of Foreign machinery competing, if they are successful in securing the bonus or any part of it, the oo3t of freight duty, &c, will in their case be also paid. The 80th of August will be looked forward to with interest by all in the flax trade. Still there is a marked deadening, no sale made worth mentioning, and the price ruinous. What are the prospects ? One millgr last week tried to sell some six tons of good flax in Wellington. After trying everywhere the best offer he cou'd get. was £8. His disappointment and indignation were so great that he talked of burning it rather than sell at that price. Fortunately his hand was checked by the agent of the Association who advanced him £10 peu ton on it. But if the late returns to hand are to be repeated, after sale in England and a reduction of- charges the net by the last mail only left £8 15s a ton, so that taking £10 a ton it must be with the prospect of a reclamation unless times mend. Will the trade soon revive ? It is well known that there is enough fibre already in stock in America to supply all the coming season's requirements, and notwithstanding the very low prices, the supply of raw 1 material — manilla and sisal— are aa great as ever. The buying power is -less this year than it has-been fo> inaaay years. The-^poor harvest in ■America, low prices for- grain, the deartfess and scarcity of money. The Nafciorial -Cordage Company has become resurrected under the new name of the United States Cordage Company ; but it will take good business management to make it pay. They stare wich 22,dS*s£ tons fibre in hand, of this only 285 tons tons is New Zealand. The demand for New Zealand fibre while the low prices continue for .manilla, is expected will considerably lessen, so that the outlook still is not encouraging. Showing the total output of manilla .by comparison in bales — 1889, 519,000; 1890, 456,000; 1891, 624,000 ; 1892, 697,000 ; 1893 696,000, tor the first eleven months of last year. : The American trade — including direct imports and purchases in Europe for the year in bales — Manilla- 1891,290,865 ; 1892, 288,291 ; 1893, 418,549. Sisal— lß9l, 263,---935 ; 1892, 305,091 ; 1893, 304,747. New Zealand- 1893, 69,835. Jute— 1891, 165,000; 1892, 100,000; 1898, 145,000. These figures are interesting, and worthy of study.