Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DEC. 10, 1896. The Flax Expert.

Manawatu Herald, 10 December 1896, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DEC. 10, 1896. The Flax Expert.

The other day we published the remarks made by the Premier on the above appointment, at the Opera House, Wellington. We were pleased to notice that he is beginning to appreciate the vast importance this industry is to the colony and his supporters. The question is at present in a nutshell, the Government having promised to give £250 if a like amount is raised by those most interested. We have all along objected to this stipulation, but " needs must when the deir drives," or the Government, and as an expert traveller is most necessary, we had better find the money than have none. There is one bright glimpse in the statement, that the Govern* merit may be induced to increase their share, and they should ; but that does' not do away with the necessity of doing our share. Elsewhere we publish an additional list of subscriptions, but it will be evident from its perusal that there are a great niaDy yet who hold aloof. It would be to the direct interest of every business man in this district, be he storekeeper, draper, hotelkeeper, shoemaker, or blacksmith to write to .the merchants they deal with urging them to assist the movement. What is of profit to the small man must likewise be to the . merchant, and in cases of sports and exhibitions their aid is sought, eurely, on so much more important an issue as this is it should be given in proportion. Besides merchants and storekeepers, we notice many companies which should have been to the front on the subscription list, but are, however, nowhere to be found. For. instance, there is tha Manawatu Railway Company, whose receipts must have been considerably increased during the period the flax industry flourished. It would pay them wall to provide a good portion of the whole amount required. Jn« stances of tho3e who are backward in coming forward could be given in any number, but we have shown that the bigger business men, having so many irons in the fire, are apt to overlook even the flax industry, large as it was, unless those who live in the flax districts bring the claims prominently under their notice. It is to entourage the local men to use their position with their merchants that we have written on this subject, and we feel assured that such representations will receive fair consideration and result in satisfactory action. The whole of the agitation about the improvement of the flax industry arises from no local or selfish feeling, for no sane mac will deny that the prosperity of the flax trade is one of the most far reaching in its effects to one and all, so that those who are urging these steps can look upon themselves as public benefactors.