Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JAN. 9, 1897. Better Still—For Flax.

Manawatu Herald, 9 January 1897, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JAN. 9, 1897. Better Still — For Flax.

A devolution in. preparing the leaf of the Phormium Tanax for fibre is more than foreshadowed by some South Island inventorst On the authority of Mr Robert Gardner, whose continual interest in the development of the flax trade is universally admitted, we are empowered to state that some gentlemen in the South Island have approached the Minißterf6r Agriculture for assistance to provide a larger machinery plant to prepare flax according to a process which they have discovered, and by the sample which we have had the pleasure of inspecting, appean to do its work most admirably. This appears to be the proper way- for men to approach those they Want assist* ance from, and we are of th.c opinion that the Government should loae no time in sanding, some trustworthy agent to meet these gentlemen and to inspect the process they employ, not so as., to deprive them of the •advantages they should reap, but simply to guarantee thut assistance is warranted. ;.ijf!h;e samples forwarded up to Mif T Gardner were, a green leaf, one half of which was only dressed, and this showed every fibre stripped and perfect ; a hank of dressed fibre, perfect, smooth and white, and fine ; also a sample of the ultimate fibres, so fine and strong as to be suitable for spinning by itsali, or in conjunction" with cotton or other materials. Mr Gardner was asked his opinion on these samples, and he has reported that they are the best samples of well-dre39ed flix he has yet seen. The results being obtained, as the manufacturers state, without bleaohing, or the use oi chemicals, or scutching. The fibre is clean, soft, fine, unbruised, strong, and white. Every ffexmiller will appreciate the saving in the items of bleaching and scutching, and also the oolour and softhsas of the fibre. As the inventors also claim that all these advantages can be gained at a minimum. of cost, and that there is also no tow, it goes without further saying that the ideal process has been accomplished, if the facts substantiate the samples. We trust not one day's delay will be allowed to occur in doing as we have suggested in sending down a properly accredited agent of the Government to meat thj inventors, and to render them every assistance that they need, if found satisfactory.. The • "process means millions to this colony, as it would mean placing New Zealand in the front r-ink of white fibre producing countries. We had almost forgotten to mention that the inventors assert the fibre they produce will also take waterproofing, thus making it the finest cord fibre in the world. To every resident in this district who knows the large arean of land suitable for flax : j?rowing, the prospect of a large manufacture opens up a vista of progress and prosperity never before anticipated, as a cheaper plan of dressing, providing an infinitely superior and more valuable an article, would force owners to oultivate flax, oring to the demand and increased value fur it. To ua all, then, this invention is of larga promise and of every importance.