FLAX INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3598, 27 August 1890, Page 2

FLAX INDUSTRY.

Report of & Parliamontary Osmmltt-eo Mr Beetham, Chairman of the I i Flax and Industries Committeo appointed b; the House, brought up yesterday the report of that Committee on the flax industry. The report, wbioli was laid oii the table, ia as follow? Your Committee have tha honor to report that they-have taken evidence bearing on the New Zealand flax industry from manufacturers, oxperts, and others interested in the trade, and have carefully considered correspondence and other documentary evidouoe laid before them.

2, Your Committee have- been much indebted to tho able correspondence of the Agent-General, whose evideucei assisted by that of his correspondents) with respeot to the present uses of the fibre, points to tho oonolusion that it is, as at present exported, chiefly used, either alone or in conjunction with manilla, for rope or twine making. . 8, Your' Committee have been muoh impressed with tho rapid inoreaseof the export of the New Zealand flax fibre, and are gratified to observe from the evidence before them that, notwithstanding the serious decline in prices lately experienced-a. doclme whioh was equally shared by kindred fibres—manufacturers are apparently not disoouraged, but, on' the contrary, are still producing largely. It must be remembered, however, that the fibre as now exported is fit. only for the manufacture of rope and twine and for sach purposes for whioh manilla and sisal m used, •1, Your Committee, being strongly of opinion that the New Zealand flax :fibre is capable of greater possibilities thinks that some steps should now be taken to further the industry; they, therefore, beg to make the following recommendations, viz.:—

by Government! and -that 'the s Goyemmenisliould fciohferwith hemp millersiibr^tueipurposoiof framing regulations.^' ■,' '-%y'".:;---. * ':'.■.'■ ' B.'That,as.yo'ur; Committeeregret to find that there :(iH's virtually been no inquiry into, or report on, the production of New Zealand flax fibre since 1888,- they recommend that the evidence before this Com. mittee beprinted pamphlet form, and that Sir James Hector's pamphlet "Pherus as a iibrow Plant,' 1 be re-printed, together with tho carefully-revised information .obtained during the. presont inquiry, and any additional information that., may be procured with respect td -experiments conducted during the progress of theludian and Colonial' Exhibition, or. at any other tjme,,in connection with the New Zealand flax-fibre.

these publications, when printed; be,-distributed amongst ( flaxmillers;an"d others interested in | the industry. ''•■'.. I 10,vYour Cpmmitteeind that ( hitherto tli.e flax in many districts has been cut in a most reokless and ■, destructive manner, and in order to ensure ut continuous supply of the ( raw material it is-imperative that \ some oare thould be taken in the ; future.. Elax owners should there- | fore be strongly urged to out in suoh , a manner as to leave the heart of the ' "flaxfans" uninjured. : ■■-. 11. Your Committee are further of opinion than in view of the evidence kid ,before them it is very desirable'; that; attention should, _be giveii to the planting and cultivation of the best varieties of New Zealand fla x with a view to the production of fibre of superior quality, 12, That your Committee find that the market price in London is prejudicially affected by the fact that the contents, of a single bale, as well as the several bales of one consignment, often vary very widely;, and they desire to draw the attention of flaxmillers to the expediency of exercising oare in this particular. • 18. Your vommittee wish it generally known, and therefore embody it in this report, that, from special inquiries made as to the iiability of New Zealand flax fibre to fire when shipped damp or wet, they find conclusive evidence that it isnot 1 liable to spontaneous combustion; but • that dampness merely has the effect 1 of rotting or so seriously discolouring L the fibre as to render it almost valueless on reaohing the Home market. 1 14. Your Committee is of opinion E that the .above recommendations, ' if carried out, will result in the flax 1 industry becoming one of very great ' importance to the colony.