OUR COMMISSIONER.

Manawatu Herald, 8 July 1899, Page 2

OUR COMMISSIONER.

Mr John Holmes, who recently journeyed practically round the world, commissioned by the New Zealand Government and the hemp mi Here of the colony to' make enquiries in the interests principally of the flax industries, gave an in* teresting account of bis travels and observations on Tuesday evening under the auspices of the Industrial Association (Mr S. Brown, President; in the chair). In Australia, Mi' Holmes found the cordage and rope makers eager to manipulate the New Zealand flax fibre if they could get the requisite standard ot quality , which be regretted to say was not always supplied. He instanced the energy of the Australian Governments in pushing their products'; igtla the world's great markets. The Cape.' town importers would readily find a good market for New Zealand binder twine -of which they bad not heard until Mr Holmes'a visit— if direct communication wa* established with this colony. In London he was assured that if a reliable quality was supplied a more extensive business and better prices would be readily obtained for New Zealand hemp, bat the colony required some large firm in London to make a specially of the colony's products and challenge tbe world to better them. Almost everywhere he w^nt he found in* ventots with appliances which they were confident would iraprdve the i quality of the flax fibre, and he felt :ce tain tb*t some one w uld prul -lently discover a process which would revolutionise this promising industry, A number of exceMent lantern slides were exhibited by Mr Holmes, in* eluding one showing the gathering of R. Richmond and C>.*s employees *t Warringt.->n, receiving their prt*. pnrliori of profit?, which are annually divided by the company amongst the workman and staff. Mr B*rltrop worked the lantern. - Post.