Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1895. The Flax Trade.

Manawatu Herald, 4 May 1895, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1895. The Flax Trade.

Mb David J. Nathan read a paper a short time ago on the *' Expansion of the Frozen Meat Trade," and though many expressed approval of the scheme, others, naturally, op* posed it. To these critios Mr Nathan has issued a reply, and now awaits the sheep- farmers to take the matter up. In the course of his arguments he touches upon one with which we hold most strongly with him, and here reproduce it, for, if Mr Nathan's other arguments are based on as sound a conclusion, his scheme merits the very fullest con* sideration.

Mr Nathan says :— " Let us, however, come nearer home. A few years ago Victoria and New South Wales were our best customers for butter and other dairy produoe. To-day the former colony, through State assistance in the way of bonuses and reduction of railway freights, is able not only to supply iti own wants but to export butter, to

the extent of nearly £1,000,000 sterling per annum, and promises to become one of the largest butterproducing countries in the world. Suppose the Government of Victoria had, as one critic suggests, let the industry "fight its own battle," would the results have been the same?

In pondering over what these colonies can produce if there be combination and State aid, one cannot repress astonishment at the general apathy of the people. We allowed the flax, industry to be snuffed out without a thought of its Importance. Had anyone suggested that it would have well paid this colony to have given a bounty of £8 or £4 a ton on all flax exported he would have been considered ripe for a lunatic asylum, yet it is demonstrable that the colony would have been a great gainer. It should even now be done, for, say the export were 10,000 tons annually and the bonus from £80,---000 to £40,000, the direct expenditure on labour alone in one form or another Would be at least £120,000, taking flax at its present London value. Work would be found for 1000 hanis directly and half as many more indirectly, and the industry would be re-established on a firm basis. Every class would receive benefit, and portion of the bonus would come back in Customs duties, railway freight, &c, direct ; but this is opposed to the ideas ab* sorbed from writers of a past generation, who are still regarded by many as authorities on all economic questions. Were natural laws in force all over the world, I admit that such questions of expediency would not abtrude themselves ; but we have to contend against protected industries and bounty-fed commodities, and iheiefore must use the weapons at our command, or drop out of the struggle.

Had the flax industry been assisted, there would not be so many dependent on charitable aid at the present time, for it must not be forgotten that idle people, whatever their fault, must live. If we do not see the necessity they do. We cannot freeze labour and store it for use when required ; and if we let it run to waste we not only have to support or maintain it out of the taxes, but rear an army of hereditary paupers. If Governments of other countries deem it wise to assist either directly or indirectly in the extension of trade, what will become of the pro* ducing country which, lacking capii fcal and enterprise, is content to sit still adhering to principles of days gone by ? Such a country may have the satisfaction of knowing that it has followed an easily-proved scien» tific principle, but its industrial pro gress must be microscopically small. We are living in an age of expediency, and the sooner that fact is un* derstood and action taken the better it will be for all."

To-day is the last day for posting tenders for the erection of a house for Wi Hemara.

The Gates and Lawn and Saddling paddock privileges in connection with the forthcoming race-meeting will be sold by auction by Mr J. B. McMillan on Thursday afternoon.

The nominations received for the Otaki Maori Racing Club's Meeting on the 34th inst.fti'e very good.

We had the pleasure the other day of inspecting the chrysanthemums in Miss Steel's garden. The show is a most excellent one, the plants bearing a mass of flowers of all colours and shapes. Miss Steele has growing sixty varieties, so we at once decided upon leaving any description alone. However a very light yellow bloom, of a beautiful shape and of a large size, was the best in our opinion but others might even excel it. We do not know, but all together are well worth a visit.

The Borough Council meets on Monday evening.

On Sunday the Vicar of All Saints will hold a morning service at Foxton, at which there will be a celebration of the Holy Communion. In the afternoon a children's service at 2.80. In the evening a service at Shannon. Mr Aitkens proposes to remain at Shannon till the following Wednesday.

The Venerable Archdeacon Jhnoourt will visit Foxton on Wednesday and Than* day, there will be an evening service on Wednesday at whioh the Arohdeaoon will preach. A meeting of Church officers will be held at the close of the service.

Some very nice photographs of the flood were taken by Mr Euro. One view taken from Mr Duncan's house shows the river to great advantage, the "swirl" of the rushing flood coming out very distinct. Two other views illustrate the difficulty of travelling, three boats load of passengers having been caught just at the bridge over the Main drain, and the view presents, instead of a metalled road, a Anal canal. Another photo shows the flood around the boatshed up to the handle of the door. They are all splendidly clear photos, and worth obtaining as a memento of a oritical period. Mr J. G. Wilson invites the electors to meet him at the Publio Hall on Thursday evening to hear his views on the political situation. . „ , , . The Queen has returned to England in excellent health.

It is stated that the Armenian Commission has found the atrocities proved.

Acting at the instance of the Christchurch Law Society, Mr W. R. Haselden is to move the Court of Appeal to strike the name of Leonard Harper off the roll of barristers and solicitors. Leave was given yesterday to dispense with the service of copies of the case to the Judges. Mr Leonard Harper is now residing at Jersey, in the Channel Islands.— N.Z. Times.

The Hauraki Company, of Coromandel, lodged bullion in the bank on Tuesday weighing 1600oz, and valued at £5000, the/ result of the month's crushing.

A London correspondent states that Mr John Duthie. MJ3.8.. is Buffering from an affection which troubled him In New Zealand, and has gone, to Buxton or Okie; for massage treafcww.^ I ''-'I

The Sohool Committee me«t at Mr Bay's office At 6.80 p.m. oa Monday.

The Bed House has opened up a lot of paper-hangings and quote very low prices per roll. Timber, iron, wire, posts, etc., are all in large stock and at cheap rates.

The cheapest store in Foxton is Joe Tos', 80 at least Joe Tos says. The only way to ascertain the fact is by Inquiry and purchase. Evidently a line of potatoes is cheap £9 a ton, also seed potatoes. Onions appears another line hard to beat. Groceries, books, etc. make up the stock.