THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1905, 21 November 1918, Page 3

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

A BETTER OUTLOOK,

CARGOES FOR AMERICA

Thu conditions prevailing in ihe tlax trade, and the prospects for an improvement after the conclusion of peace, were made the subject of an inquiry by a representative of the Auckland Herald on Monday. It was slated by an Auck'ajul merchant in the trade that there are at present approximately 4,500 tons of tlax in store at Auckland, and a similar quantity awaiting; shipment at various ports throughout the Dominion. In June, at the end of last season, the flax mills closed down for three months, but the millers made an arrangement with the tlax merchants to commence operations again at the beginning of September, in view of American orders already given or anticipated. Practically all the mills in the Waikato and East Coast districts adhered to this arrangement, but shortly, after commencing work the embargo on tlax shipments to America was announced. A deputation of Jlaxmillers and merchants wailed on the Prime Minister at the beginning of November. It was explained that owing to the small allotments of space made for tlax for Britain, the United States had been New Zealand's main outlet for tlax for the last three years, and the closing of the United States market really meant the stoppage of the Dominion hemp industry. Representations were made to Washington by the Prime Minister, and although the embargo had not been lifted, the United Stales Government had permitted certain vessels chartered to load tlax for America before the embargo was announced, to till up. Two vessels are now at New Zealand ports loading (lax cargoes, and this will afford considerable relief. It is anticipated by both merchants and millers that, in view of the improvement in the shipping situation consequent on the cessation of hostilities, more shipping space for flax for the London market will shortly be offering, and the millers see no reason why they should not run their mills this season. It is expected, however, that there xvill be a lower range of prices than during the war period, prices during the last few years having been unduly forced up owing to the difficulty in getting hemp from the Philippines. Most of the mills in the Waikato and East Coast districts have commenced operations, but the employees are more or less affected at present by the influenza epidemic, in consequence of which it is expected that the deliveries to the city stores during the next mouth will not be very heavy.