THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8458, 7 June 1907, Page 3

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

In a telegram from the Thames Mr George Scotcher, a well-known flaxmiller, was reported to have said that flax lands in the South were "being depleted of their roots, which are being shipped to the New Hebrides and other islands, where in time competition with the industry in New Zealand may confidently be expected. Possibly," he said, "when the attention of the Government is directed lo the matter, some action will be taken. Consideration should also be given to the best methods adopted to encourage the flax industry." The Minister for Lands, the Hon. R. McNab, when the effect of the abova telegram was communicated to him, said the statement that the fields were being depleted was a wild rumour. It would take the whole population of New Zealand years to dig up the flax at present growing. A few roots might have been exported, but that could not be prevented. If New Zealand had' not been allowed to import the roots and plants she required, where would she have been? Far greater harm was done to the flax fields by careless owners who allowed cattle to stray over the ground than any which might arise out of exportation of roots, Su far as encouragement of the industry is concerned, it is hardly necessary to point out that for sorfte considerable time the Agricultural Department has been carrying out an exhaustive series of experiments at the State farms with a view to ascertaining what particular varieties of flax are most amenable to artificial cultivation. The final results of these experiments will not be known for some time yet.