NEW ZEALAND HEMP.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 299, 23 October 1873, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND HEMP.

The following correspondence has been placed at our (" Canterbury Times ") disposal by the Hon. Secretary of the Canterbury Flax Association, Mr. J. A. Bird, for publication: — 16 Mark Lane, E.-E., London, Aug. 6, 1873. J. A. Bird, Esq., The Secretary to the Canterbury Max Association, Christchurch. Mr. Booth, of Dunedin, called on me on the 16th July, and at the same time presented a letter you had given to Dr. Husband, as this latter gentleman had not an opportunity of calling -personally. Mr. Booth seemed much i interested in the fabrics. l was enabled l to , show him, and expressed some slight surprise at the progress made; for, notwithstanding the practical proofs already given to the colonists, not only by my letters, but my sample of the* fabrics manufactured, he tells me there is still a good deal of scepticism in tbe colony, and this is supported by others writing out, that experments have been tried and failed. I notice fcom papers kindly sent me by Mr. Buller, that some one haß been writing editorial articles in the "Wellington Independent" of the 16th and 17th April, 1573, tending to show that New Zealand flax cannot be profitably employed, and making the rather strong assertion, " We say, most unhesitatingly, that it will not pay, and that nothing could induce British manufactures to employ phormium for fine purposes, even if it was given to them for nothing." And then, after quoting from Mr. Forbes' essay, he goes on to say " Here we have an opinion from the best possible authority — that of a manufacturer who had every resource which the best machinery could supply,! and it should at once teach us that — whilst we have an unfailing market for our fibre, for the purposes for which it is naturally fitted — it is a waste of time and money to attempt what seems to be, and what we venture to say is the impossible." In the second article the writer enters deeply into detail, so as to show those interested in the establishment of the manufactory at Christchurch for the production of sacking, wool, bagging, &c, the ad- ' vantages and possible difficulties of this undertaking. In this he points out that this phormmm will have to compete with jute. If the phormium tow had to be sent to England to petfi with jute, his arguments as regards the value of the fibre, and its cost would be very convin< jiiir that . competition wou'd not be doubtful, for we find that freisrht charges .and insurance from New Zealand on phormium will average £8 to £LO per ton, or equal to the cost of very low class jute in London ; but if the phormium tow is used in New Zealand, it surely can be supplied at a less price than this, and as the duty on the manufactured article would b» saved, the colonial production will, no doubtj be able to be sold cheaper than the imported fabric. The writer of the article says " we do not know what the price of the tow of New Zealand flax is here." If the information given to me by those lately from the colony is correct, the average price is somewhere about £5 per ton x and difficult of sale. Mr. Forbes, from whose essay, the writer of the article quotes to prove phormium cannot be profitably employed, ii the essay states " the most profitable and allowable object appears to be the production of fibre sufficiently clean for the common branches of manufactures, such as coal bags, sacking, woolpacks, &c, and which shall be accomplished at a minimum expenditure of labor," and he belies es that eventually this manufacture will spring up in New Zealand. And Mr. Forbes in his letter to me (referring to the " Wellington Independent ") dated 28tb July says, "I would advise- all, who have anythfn» to do with the utalisiug of the phormium to avoid any competition with linen manufactures, at least in, the meantime. lam quite prepared to abide by all I have said, and you will find that in my essay I say that the tow is immensely adapted for woolpacks- and packing* and a factory started for that purpose would be successful. T see no reason yei; to alter my opinion."" Observe, Mp. Forbes does not say that phormium will not be used for-similar purposes as flax, but advi4.es caution " in the meantime." The writer of the article says, " We applaud tbeit- efforts, but at the same time must warn them thai their enthusiasm is not based upon sound practical grounds." I fully believe the " Wellington Independent " in a years* time will have to write an article on phormiitm similar to one which appeared in the " Dundee Advertiser " of October 16> 1872, on jute, wherein, after pointing out the development oi the jute trade, it goes on to- say, " Mr. Wardes, in his ' Ijnen Trade,* tells the many difficulties which, surrounded the introduction- of jute into the manufactures of the town j spinnerß, manufacturers, and consumers were altk© prejudiced against it. The machinery used for spinning flax was not well adapted for working it, and when spun, owing to the bad reputation of the material, the spinner could not find a market for his yarn. By-and-by, after manyfailures, these difficulties were overcome, and since the real merits of the fibre have come to be- known, the growiti o| i&v tr&d* lm b@ejx eowethiflg 1

wonderful. * * * The fibre, which was at first despised and looked upon with suspicion, has, through the enterprise of our spinners and manufacturers, become the staple trade of the town, andtbecourse of vast profit and wealth." Thirty-seven years ago the " Dundee Advertiser," reflected the opinion of he most hanourable merchants of the day, warned the local manufacturers to be careful lest the use of the fibre should bring Dundee goods into bad repute, and thus ruin the trade of tbe town. At that time jute yarn was ill spun, and its use deteriorated the value of the cloth with which it was incorporated. The improvements in spinning and. manufacture, and the weaving of goods wholly of jut© have removed all these misgivings, dtad now, in the interests of the trade of the district, the " Advertiser " thinks it worth its while, at considerable expense, to receive a weekly report by telegraph ofthe stateof the Calcutta jute market. Now, during the past two years many improvements have been made in the process of working phormium fibre. Mr. Lockhart, who wrote to you some time back, that it is not capable of being spun satisfactorily, is now working hard to introduce the fibre to other manufacturers, and is sure there is a great future in store for it. My friends who first introduced me to Mr. Fortes in June, 1871. and expressed doubts as to the adaptability of the fibre to textile fabrics, *re fully converted. One friend, writing to me from Dundee, under date July 2i, 1873, says, " I canuot do better than commence by "congratulating you upon the apparent nearness of your pet scheme being tested, and feel confident it only requires to be fairly tried to bring about a satisfactory and successful result. Everyone appears now to think there is no doubt about it answer- ' ing the purpose, and none are more strong in iheir expressions than those who two years ago or so laughed at the very idea of it ever beinfj turned to account." I think, had the writer of the articles in the •' Wellington Independent" had tbe various opportunities which have presented themselves to me, of seeing many of the supposed difficulties in the manufacture of phormium cleared away, he would not Lave expressed himself quite so strongly as he has done, and it will now be wise for him to wait until the spinning and weaving factories have published their first report after being in work for a full twelvemonths before making further comment, as by that time he will be enabled to see whether he is entitled to the thanks of the colonists for his foresight and warning, or whether he willhave to admit that, in his desire to keep his friends from running into danger, he would, had his advice been followed, have been the means of depriving New Zealand generally of a very productive and important branch of industry. I remain, dear sir, yours faithfully, O. Thobne.