The Wairarapa Daily THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1890. The Future of the Flax Industry.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3464, 20 March 1890, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1890. The Future of the Flax Industry.

Tub-present depression in the flax industry will,'however much it is to be regretted, result in an ultimate benefit if it leads' those who are engaged in this trade to consider the conditions unilor which it should be conducted in the future. Hitherto there has been no time for such deliberation—pricesrsuddeuly jumped up, mills oponed by the score, and, regardless of all economic conditions, men; 'rushed into tba business to secure, upoii.,.aiiy femsujhare 1 in the big profits that-were obtainable. Now I a cjuick fall has succeeded a rapid 1 rise, and in the Wellington provincial district generally.the, industry has received a' severe chock, and very many of those engaged in it have been unable to stand against Hip reverse," ; l)uring the two years of high prices they have not made all the,,moneyj jtbat might ..have /been realised out' of' the, business.''' The profits wore largo, but dressers had to share them with the men who lent thorn inonay, to start, with the shippers who charged heavy freights, with the mysterious middlemen, who gather like oagles when a carcas offers' pickings, and; also,, porlmps, with unskilled- laborers; who" at-the outset would not bo very profitable workers. A large number of small mills are evidently the direct result. of a high price for the fibre; : Such mills can thrivo when flax is at thirty pounds a ton, but thoy collapse when it falls to twenty; And yet there can bo no doubt that a large' mill, witli adequate capital, machin-' ;cry, and labor, could even at .£2O a ton turn out dressed fibre at a fair profit,, if the economic conditions essential to successful manufacture weref present. Such a mill, turning out a'large number of bales of au oven anil reliable quality at a minimum cost''for lajjor, would be in .15 position to make the best, possible terms for shipping and 1 sale expensos. It could probably place, dressed fibre in tho English pr American markot at a..tkird lessjbb'a'pmall'inill, haudicappd by'numerous; disabilities. If'thiabesoVwoulditnotbe well if:fiaxmillers inNpjy-Zealand united' \\\ starting joint stock Aire .companies',; strong: enough to. stand "against a falling market, and to make a fair profit at,rates,which, would 'swamp small'fl'stibljsliments ? Ihepreseut drop in prices, though ifatal'to' ilittlo mills, does.not menace .tho v; n wboje, sbe larger

mills •will as )bo «.. oMlie' IMfik 01 be ||ell|oi' ,v|oSe /wboj hse lipji I embaptedfin operale together to pursue theiiidustl'y/ornvbich tboy have placed their ljbjjes under conditions more fayorable'tb permanent