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Manawatu Herald, 15 June 1895, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MANAWATTJ HERALD.

Sir,— Allow me to suggest a plan which t think; if carried into effect Would be a good ttlidg for the Whole of the FOxton district. It is simply thig — that the business people of the town subsidise the flax industry to the extent of say Ml. Now, there are roughly about 20 business people in Foxton who oould be expected to subscribe. Say each of these were to subscribe according to the benefit they would reap, and hotelkeepers would be willing I should think to subscribe liberally. I would suggest that the 20 business people subscribe 20s per ton for every ton of flax turned out. There are about a dozen mills in the town and about the district. The bulk of the money earned at these mills would be spent in Foxton, there is no doubt, The wages necessarily being made would be little more than a bare living, and it therefore stands to reason that nearly all the money would be spent here. These 12 mills would turn out we will say 60 tons of fibre per week. The price to be obtained now I believe is about £9 159 at Wellington, or say £9 here. Multiply 60 by 9 and we have £540 per week. This is the extent to which the district principally the town would benefit, A good return I should say for the outlay of £60 per week, the amount I purpose to be given in subsidies. Knock off 803 per ton, or £90 per week, whioh would be about the cost of royalty and fuel, the balance of £450 being nearly all wages money would be spent in the town. The above is on the supposition that the £1 per ton subscribed would be the miller's profit, end is not entered into the oalouiations, but there is no doubt that the biggest part of this too would find its way back into the subscriber's pocket. Any flax miller knows that even as cheap as labour is to be had at present £9 per ton will just about pay expenses, and leaves nothing for the miller. Of course when flax went up SI per ton or so there would be no assistance required. There has been a lot said about inducing the Government to subsidise the flax industry, but I think it very improbable that they will ever do anything in the matter, and surely it is not unreasonable to expect those who reap the principal and immediate benefit to lend a helping hand. The plan I have suggested seems to me a good way to raise the town out of its present depressed state, and it behoves the business people to bestir themselves in the matter, and not to look for State assistance. It is an old saying, and a true one " that God helps those who help themselves." I am, &c,

FOXTONIAN,

13th June, 1895.