The New-Zealander. SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1845.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 4, 28 June 1845, Page 2

The New-Zealander. SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1845.

FLAX: New-Zealand and European.

Be just and fear not : Let all tlie eti^s, thou aims't at, be thy Country's, 'iliy God's, ,uul imtli's.

The national importance to Great Britain, of being independent of foreign countries for the supply of that material which, as a maiitime state, is ever in consumption in immense quantities for her commercial marine, and which, in case (if war, renders its supply precarious, and the cost enormous, to maintain her fleets, has ever occasioned great attention and interest on the growth and production of Hemp and Flax, in England and Ireland, In former times, the parliament of England devoted more attention to framing laws, regarding the husbandry of flax, than to an) other brnncli of rural economy ; and premiums wen even given, under certain stipulations, to encourage its cultivation. Notwithstanding these bounties, and encouraging enactments, cluing t'se long wars, previous to 1815, the Supply of food for the population of the United King'iom — all intercourse with the continent of Euiope being wholly prevented — was oi paramount necessity to the public at large, and the high prices of wheat and other grain, for a Ijik; sCiiej of years, were too remuneiative to the uivmers to entice them to other cultivation, of which they had had neither knowledge nor ei:«imple. The landlords, likewise, found the high pi ices of corn enabled them to increase their rents, and naturally were rather inclined to discourage any change in the mode of culti- \ ition, prescribed in their leases, especially, as a.i old opinion and prejudice prevailed, that the cultivation of Hemp and Flax impoverished and exhausted the soil, more particularly when giown for seed. However, within thec>e few yrars, the fall in t iC] ticcs of grain has led landed pioprietorj in England to turn their attention, not only to it luiov* (1 modes of culture — as efficient drainage <n>'l ab'mdant manure — but, likewise, to nvik- experiments on other products ; and in w..i)v imgliah counties Flux has Wn lalteiiy giirfVii, v/itJi g.vat success and much profit.

In the North of Ireland for centuries, tht towns of Belfast, Newry, and surrounding distiicts, have been celebrated for the manufacture of Linen, and, consequently, those engaged ia such trade have devoted much time and exj^ense, to encourage the production oi the raw material of the finest fibre, and in the most pei feet state. Since this Colony has been established, the attention of the English Government has been directed to the " Phormium Tenax ;" and more particulaily, with a view to attempt its cultivation in lieland; presuming, we suppose, that the soil and climate of that island, would be as congenial to its nature, and as auxiliary to its growth, as the hills and swamps of New Zealand. We have much satisfaction in laying before our readers, this day, some interesting and important documents on this subject. It appears, that in July 1843, the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies directed the attention of the Board of Trade to the New Zealand Flax, transmitting, at the same time, a specimen, with a view to introduce its cultivation in Ireland. TIII3 specimen, we presume — native cleaned, — was forwarded to the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland, and by them submitted to the Belfast Flax Impiovement Society. The Report of this Committee is of the greatest interest and importance to the settlers — and more especially the agricultural — of this Colony, The plant, " Phormium Tenax," appears to have been long introduced into lieland, but it is strange, that the wet or boggy giounds will not there suit it: on light and heavy soils it thiives equally well, but the average length of the leaf does not exceed two and half feet In this Colony, on the swampy shores of the River Thames, the plant luxuriates, and grows from twelve to fifteen feet in height. The report alludes to the great strength of the fibie, when the tension is direct; but doubts its fitness for spinning, freely, by ma- j chinery, on account of its haish, husky appearance : or for weaving, from the peculiar friability when knotted. The committee think that a better method of freeing the fibre from fie mucilaginous leaf may be discovered, so as to give it a more yielding and pliable nature. With regard to its introduction and cultivation in Ireland, the committee are of opinion that, as a substitute for Hemp, to manufacture Rope on a large scale, or to mix with that mateiial, it might be found useful, if it could be laised fiom seed annually imported; but they naturally append the question — what arc the objects and inducements for introducing it? j The committee mention the East Indian j Flax, and the low prices at which it is imported into London and Liverpool — about £10 to £12 per ton ; also the facility, and comparative cheapness with which Flax and Hemp I fiom the Baltic are obtained ; and ask, " What opening is there for the New Zealand Flax, as its value and adaptation to useful purposes is at pivsent understood?" Then follows the most interesting part, to this Colony, of the report — " That it appears to the meeting, that the Colonies of Australia should, themselves, attempt the growth of our Flax plant, for which probably their climate is well adapted, and thus produce the raw material, to exchange for ' the manufactured goods of the United Kingcom." j It appears, also, that even the spinning trade of Belfast, and other parts of Ireland, as well as the manufacturers of England, are at present dependent for adequate supplies, on the cnltivalion and product of Flax from the European continent ; and, as the report observes, to nonreciprocal countries — Belgium, Holland, and Russia. The imports, as verified, before the Committee of the House of Commons, in 1840—41, were 80,000 tons annually, but since reduced to about 60,000 tons ; therefore, at the lowest rate of £50 per ton, they drain from England about three millions of specie annually, consequently, it is of the utmost imj.o stance, that Great Britain and her Colonies s! ouLl exert themselves to supply the needful demand, rlher Ihe committee conclude their report by assurances of proper care of any plants or seeds of New Zealand Flax, that may be transmitted from England ; and promise all due attention to any experiments of their produce, under tiie auspices of the Society ; but we think, that after such authentic information of the value of European Flax, that the Local Government of this Colony should, through the Colonial Office, place themselves in communication with the Belfast committee. The latter, have pubIkhe.l, we know, much, on llie cultivation of the Flax plant of Europe, as wdl as on the I various subsequent modes of retting, &c, and| and all such information from the Society, with 1 s.ed for distiibution among the settlers, would be of essential importance to the Colony. i Experience in the agriculture ofthij Colony, within these last two years, has shewn, that it is very improbable that wheat, or diiy otht-r orain, except to a limited extent for internal consumption of the Colony, will be remuneraling ciop to the agriculturist; but it does not follow that other products m?>y not bo highly lucrative from the effect of soil and climate ; mid vve are confirmed in an opinion, some Yo;ms since imbibed, that cereal cultivation, he. ond home demand, will not be rein uncra-

(Copy of Despatch from Lord Stanley to Governor Fitzroy.)

Downing 9treet, 2nd March, 1544. Srß,— The attention of Her Majesty's Government having been called to the subject of the introduction of the Flax of New Zealand for cultivation in Ireland, I transmit to you herewith I for jour information, the ropy of a letter from Jllie assistant Secretary to the Board of Trade, enclosing the copy of a Report of the Belfast Flax Improvement Society's Committee on a specimen of New Zealand Flax, submitted to them bv the Royal Agricultural Improvement Socieiy of Ireland. I am, Sir, &c. &c. v (Signed) STANLEY. To Governor Fitzroy, &c. &c.

Office of Comviittee of Privy Council of Trade, Whileha'l' 24-th February, 1841. Sir,— With reference lo that pait of your letter, of the sth inst., on the suhject of the introduction of the New Zealand Flax for cultivation in Ireland, I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Pi ivy Council for Trade, to transmit to )ou for the information of Lord Stanley, a copy of a repot t of the Belfast Flax Impiovement Society's Committee as to the specimen [of New Zealand Flax which was transmitted to this office in Mr. Stephen's letter of the 3rd July last, and which was forwarded to that Society, and I am to state that the leport of the qualities of the Phormium Tenax furuished by competent judges is not suihYientl) favourable to warrant my Lords in recommending', that encouragement should be given to its cultivation in Ireland. As requested in Mr. Stephen's letter of the Bth July L:st, the specimen is herewith returned. lam to add i hat a newspaper containing the above mentioned report was forwarded to this oilice in the course of last} car, but owing to its • oininy in that form, ii escaped their loidships attention. I am, Sir, &c &c (Signed ) J. G. SHAW LEFEVRE. To G. W. Hope, Esq. &c. &c.