The Flax Commissioner.

Manawatu Herald, 18 January 1898, Page 2

The Flax Commissioner.

MR JOHN HOLMES' .We are in receipt of Ihc tiritinh Auttralasidn of the 2o h Ncviiabdr and find] in it an, iritervevfr { *'>xh V.t ■ John Holmes. He has told the Jfc* Amir alatutn that when ' io New South Wales the Agricultural Department " specially invited me to witness some experiments'that were being made at Hawkasbury Collego in the growth of rhea fibre concerning which there has been considerable discussion of late as to the new methods of preparation and » , treatment. I found, however, that the cultivation of rhea was only in an experimental stage, and that no estimate could be given of the value of the fibre as an exportable commodity. I went to various mauufacturers and rope and twine makers in New South Wales tb ascertain from them their exact requirementsand I soon discovered that a closer V knowledge of the requirements of inmufactures would tend to increase [he trade and place the same upon a permanent ba*ia. The ropemokers at Sydney said that they would, as a matter of fact, purchase large supplies of New ' Zealand hemp if they had- a standard article, both as to style of packing, siza of bale, and quality." "I visited Melbourn?, and there I was also kindly received by the Acting Premier and Minister of Agriculture, whose secretary devoted a good deal of time in giving me all the information be could. Victoria, aB a matter of fact, is doing a good deal in the development of the rhea or ramie plant. They thought that if some system could be adopted for the preparation of it, its developement on commercial lines would be facilitated. I also visited the rope makers and factories there, and from one of the largest firms in Victoria I learned that they had really a preference for New Zealand hemp, but that there were difficulties surrounding its complete introduction a? regards the consumption of binder twine. They I pointed out that the Byatein" which ! prevailed there was the selling to merchants on a basis of commission, and, as a matter of fact, a basis of 4£d. for manila was very much better than B|d. for New Zealand hemp, althongh much cheaper to the consumer. They, however, stated that where farmers used binder twine made from New Zealand hemp, in every instance they repeated their order*. This goes to prove that the fibre gives every satisfaction, and, from all I could gather, it is evident that they are prepared te purchase more largely binder twiue made from Plwmiwn tenax". % "After leaving Melbourne did you come on to England?" "No; hearing at Melbourne that there was a probability of doing something with South Africa, I altered my plan 3 on the principle that 'the path of doty is the path of safety,' and decided to take '^te^nar to the Cape, I accordingly made arrangements with the Blue Anchor lines and booked my passage by the Culgoa— Captain Fyson Blower; ' but in order to'get as much, inform *• tion as 1 cjula* I journeyed to South Australia, where I was cordially received by the Hon. Dt\ Coekfeurn, Minister of Agriculture, who very kindly offered every assistaoe in his power to help me in my- mission. To put it in his own generous words he said 'any representative of New Zealand has a warm welcome in in South Australia.' I also interviewed there the rope manufactures and the managers of tht mills. I explained to them what I thought we could do in the oolony to give them an article to meet their requirements, and they promised to purchase larger paroals of (temp from New Zealand ; further, iHaia ■■* gave satisfaction^ than they would oontinue to increase their business, I succeeded in clearing away many misconceptions wiih regard to special brands, qualities, and such t like, told them that we wen anxfc j6 V to cater for their wants, as the tmnp \ industry was one that gave employment in our colony to many thousands of men and boys, in addition to giving an impetus to many branches of trade." "Continuing the voyage to Capo Town, I had the pleasure there of having a short interview with Sir^ Gordon Sprigg. The Secretary of^; of the Agricultural Department I gave me some information as to the experiments made by the Goveru* ment in fibre growing, which I found were of a very limited naSure. The importers of binder twine, rope, and cordage in Cape Town in- / formed me that they did not know L of the New Zealand production in in binder twine, or, indeed, in the production of Phormium Unax. I explained to them what we could do in the matter of supplying binder twine equal to what they were im- . porting, and as much less cost. Owing to the latenes3 of the season they could make no arrangements for their immediate wants but they promised to give the matter consideration for the next year. I submitted samples of the binder twine made in our colony, and the ' importers with whom I spoke seemed to be very will satisfied with it."