THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4409, 1 February 1930, Page 1

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

SOLUTION TO TROUBLES.

“THE BACK BROKEN.’

“My linn and honest conviction is that the flax industry will undergo a revival in the future and become a prosperous activity. With the selection and intensive planting which has been undertaken, there are indications that this period already is being entered upon, and I am convinced that the back of any depression which has existed has been broken.”

Thus a leading flaxmiller advanced his opinion when approached by ■ a “Standard” reporter concerning the outlook, in the flax industry, and the statement that thousands of acres of flax lands had been converted into grass pastures during the past ten years. While agreeing to some extent with that definition of the position, he intimated that it applied only to the old natural flax areas, and said he was of the opinion that the difficulty would be overcome by the planting system already in hand. Scientific methods were coming to the fore just as in every other trade or industry. “There is no doubt that the old (lax areas have diminished greatly in extent,” he added. “Formerly, there was one solid block of flax from the Rangitikei River to Paekakari'ki, comprising about 23,000 acres, but that has depreciated by about two-thirds in the last decade. The land is good, rich dairying country, and where the old flax crops have begun to depreciate many owners have preferred to see their properties clothed with a good growth of grass rather than flax.

EFFECT OF TAXATION. “Flax-owners are being hit by the graduated land tax. Successful mill operations cannot be carried on over a small area, and consequently the land is being sold for dairying purposes. Flaxmillers are making application for exemption under the hardship clause, but are doubtful as to the outcome. Although some of the areas are subject to flooding, the flax lands are well drained, and admirable for cultivation or adaptation as grasslands.

“Taking New Zealand as a whole, there is only about half the (lax areas available for cutting compared with ten years ago. The decrease has been manifest to an even greater extent in the Manawatu, where the output is only one-third of what it formerly was. However, there are about 5000 or 0000 acres of plantation flax in New Zealand, and this activity promises to restore the former conditions.”

Where sixty strippers were formerly in operation in the Manawatu district, stated the miller, there were now only about twenty. Each stripper employed about twenty men, and approximately 400 were engaged in the industry iu the Manawatu at present. Their weekly wages would amount to about £2OOO. The season would close in May, and it was estimated that about 5000 tons of hemp, valued at about £130,000, would be produced. Although some flax plants had been proved to be immune to disease, there were others which were susceptible, and steps were being taken to select suitable types, some of which were at present undergoing severe tests. The .Department of Industrial and Scientific Research was also interesting itself very actively in the bleaching processes for the treatment of fibre. Myth the steps which were at present being taken it appeared that the solution of the difficulties Which had beset the trade was iu sight.

The amount of tobacco consumed by smokers varies considerably. Some will smoke two ounces a day, others are satisfied with much less. The moderate smoker averages perhaps three ounces a week. Indulged in with discretion tobacco is beneficial, rather than otherwise. It’s just a question of nicotine. Habitual use of brands loaded with nicotine may cause heart or nerve trouble or impaired eyesight. As a matter of fact most imported tobaccos are too rich iu nicotine. The purest tobaccos of all are produced in New Zealand. Containing only a trilling percentage of nicotine they may, be indulged in ad. lib. with perfect safety. This is because (unlike all other brands) they are toasted. Hence their freedom from nicotine and their famous flavour and aroma. They .are exclusively manufactured by the National Tobacco Co., Ltd. (pioneers of the N.Z. tobacco industry), and there are several varieties. Ask for “Riverhead Gold” (very mild), “Cavendish” (the famous sporting mixture), “Navy Cut” (a beautiful blend), or “Cut Plug No. 10” (full). You can get them at any tobacconist’s. —Advt. 57.