The Flax Industry.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3592, 31 October 1905, Page 2

The Flax Industry.

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT,

The Agricultural; Pastoral, aad9 Stock Committee of the House o» Representatives, reporting on the flatf industry, says that communications were sent by authority to all the Chambers of Commerce, Flaxmillers’ Associations, and individuals known to be interested in the flax industry it* the colony, inviting witnesses to appear and give evidence in - every phase of the industry. In response to this invitation, twenty witr.esse'. appeared befofa the coti3» mittee, which sat eight days taking evidence. The committee _fe of opinion that the evidence given is most valuable and must be of great utility in guiding the Department of Agriculture in framing amended regulations to meet the requirements of the industry, which is essentially national. The committee strongly recommends (hat the department be authorised to (alee immediate steps to promote by <ll available means the cultivation of llax, the evidence having conclusively shown the necessity of such a course. The committee does not feel justified in recommending that the export of inferior fibre should be prohibited. The cunmitto specially approves the datement made by the chief grader, viz., that the department intended by <mended regulations, to reduce the difference between the various grades •t quality of dressed flax, from fifteen mints to seven.

In discussing the report on Saturday, in the House, Hon T. Y, Duncan, Minister of Agriculture, said the putting into use of inferior flax ought to be prohibited. The evidence showed conclusively that the flax in New Zealand was not sufficient to maintain the present output and in the South especially the supply was being destroyed by bad cutting. Mr Buchanan questioned whether the Government was not going further than it should. They might as well interfere with the manner in which the fanner harvested bis crops. Mr Kirkbride said they might just as well prohibit the export of inferior wool. It would be a good thing to appoint instructors to teach flaxmillers how to get up the raw material and how to plant flax.