The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, July 20, 1912. THE FLAX INDUSTRY AND SIR ROBERT STOUT'S JUDGMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1072, 20 July 1912, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, July 20, 1912. THE FLAX INDUSTRY AND SIR ROBERT STOUT'S JUDGMENT.

Miulkrs in the Foxtou district would appear to be more evenly balanced tbau those iu some other places, judging by what appears to be a very exaggerated view ot the effect ot the Chief Justice’s ruling iu the Raugiotu case, published in the “Standard" last night. No doubt the decision is startling at the fust blush, but we cannot think millers generally are so weak in the back as to go under at the tirst knock. There must be means, and they should seek them, tor preventing so important an industry from being crippled. Knowing the pluck ot our own millers, we are not expecting them to wring their hands and weep, but rather to be up and doing. No doubt the privilege 01 using the rivers has been greatly abused by some millers iu the past, else it would not have been necessary for our Harbour Board to have moved iu the matter ot preventing flax refuse irom the mills going into the river. Now it is for all to put their houses in order. A great deal can be done by unity and honesty, and when it is shown that millers realise their responsibility, and minimise the cause ot complaint as much as possible—good will come ot it, instead of ill. Anyway, we don’t think millers will allow their industry to be crippled by the recent decision iu the Rangiotu case. Necessity is the mother of invention, and now is the time for some genius to discover a method ot dealing with the waste product winch it is alleged pollutes the rivers. The judgment will also affect the dairy industry.