THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9605, 27 September 1909, Page 5

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND.. September 25.

A hopeful note was struck by a gentleman connected with the flax industry, in discussing with a "Herald" representative the prospect of better prices for fibre. He based his hopes on thejpossibility of Manila, the chief rival to New Zealand, ris ing in price. He has recently received a letter from Manila which indicates that the Filipinos may bs led to demand better wsgcs from the mi'l-owners on account of the active public works policy instituted by the United States Government in the Islands creating a considerably greater demand for labour. The writer points out that hemp must" be cleaned at a certain time, when the plant begins to fruit otherwise the fibre loses strength, and in most provinces the method has been to give the native half of what the cleaner article produces, but the cleaner is beginning to demand threequarters, and in. some cases is actually getting the whole valuefrom the planter, who fears that otherwise his plantations will go to waste. If higher wages have to be paid in Manila, and improved machinery is introduced in New Zealand, the prospects for the mill-owner should be brighter. Practically the whole of the flaxmills in the Manawatu and Horowhenua districts are now working, and by October Ist every mill is expected to be actively engaged. The result is that employment has been given to a large number of men. The outlook for flax is better at present than it has been for some time paßt, according to an interested party, wha informed a reporter that several of the mills have contracts which will keep them going well into January. The outlook for the remainder of the season appears to be assured at prices which will pay both the miller and the landowner, although without leaving a large profit. There is a possibility that the present rise in the price of flax may be maintains! and perhaps go higher.