Manamatu Herald. SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1895. Flax.

Manawatu Herald, 6 July 1895, Page 2

Manamatu Herald. SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1895. Flax.

From correspondence which we have from time to time published it will be apparent there ia a public feeling that the Government should do pomething to help the flax industry along. We are nofc in favour of industries being propped up by bonus, but this flax industry finds so much employment for unskilled labour that a departure in this instance ia justifiable. Even then we would not urge the definite granting of any. fum of money, but we should like the Government to guarantee that flax dwtwd to ft

standard qualify should reach a stated price when sold, either in Wellington, London, or America. The millers would have to determine the lowest sura, for bire Wages, at which the fibre could be produced, tfcnd if the sales realised this sum no bonus would be paid, if leas, the difference which ifc might be agreed should not amount to more than £0a or 40s a ton. Some such arrangement would set many mills going, thus employing labour at the time of year when employment is much needed, and would be thus a legitimate form of assistance. When it is remembered that last year the Government subsidised sums raised to give employment to the unemployed by pound for pound, our proposal, by which it would be likely that a very small part of the aubsidy would be claimed, seems both wise and just. It will be evident to those who have noted the reports of tha wheat market that a very much larger area will be placed under crop this year, than was last year, all the world over, which will entail a very much larger supply of fibre for binder twine. We look hopefully to the mills resuming wp.rk, subsidy or no subsidy, early in the Spring, but a subsidy would induce millers to start immediately and thus relieve the distress at present being felt.

We trust seriou3 Consideration will be given by Parliament to the representations of our member, Mr J. G. Wil°ov Jf as to the advantage it would bo to the colony at large to offer a really substantial bonus for improvements in flax-dressing machinery. The paltry sum of £2000 has been tried and failed, and it is only humbugging the question by again offering such an amount. Why should there be the least difficulty in placing aside £10,000 for the purpose we cannot understand. The amount is not chucked away, the sum would not be paid if the invention did not comply with the conditions, and if a machine was produced which considerably lessened the cost of production, by say, making the feeding, catching, flying, and washing done automatically, it would mean a most important fact for the colony, and would be very cheap at the price. If our legislators do this they would be proving their interest in the advancement of the industry on the plan that if there were no gains there would not be, at any rate, any losses.