The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. TUESDAY, JAN. 22, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2579, 22 January 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

TUESDAY, JAN. 22, 1889.

Equal .inn exnrt justice to sill men, Of »\'lmts')i-vt:r statu or persuasion, religious or politir.il.

$. The revival of the llax intlushvy in this colony is a matter for sincere congratulation. In tho earliest days of settlement there used to be it very largo trade in hemp; iu fact it formed, at ono time, the principal staple of tho infant dependency, and was in the hands of tho few scattered European traders who had located themselves along the coast and.procured tho raw article by barter from the natives. The Maoris became deeply interested iu the trade, and wore actively cnoaged in very large numbers iu the preparation of the iibro for e.xuort. In later years New Zealand flax grew into disfavour, or was beaten in the estimation of the

English buyers, by that grown in other countries. Tho difficulty in the way of successfully establishing the trade on ;i socure footing \v;is the presence of foreign matter, such as gum, in uiuisml quantity in the

composition of jihoniiiiiia teniix. M-iny alteni)>ts were made to overcome this draw hack, hut for years the trade in the New Zealand article languished. Tho industry became a lost one to the natives, to whom it had heen of so much advantage, and the mills in many parts of the country were suffered to fall into decay. But, during the past few months, flax mills have sprung up again in great numbers throughout the North Island ; the natives are once more employed in supplying the green plant to the mills, and there is a tremendous increase in the export of the material. We still continue to hear of the arrival of machinery for the erection of mere mills in suitable localities. This impetus is due to the increased activity in the Irish linen manufactures, and in the general demand for lihre of a superiorquaiity. The latest machinery for dressing and cleaning the raw material has, we believe, removed the former impediment to the favourable acceptance of the New Zealand (lax • by the newest process in vague the fibre can now be produced in a highly satisfactory state. The proof of this is the heavy demand for it, exceeding the production, and the very remunerative prices obtained in the market. To these districts where so much native flax is grown, this improvement in so important a local industry must make its mark on the prosperity of the people and the settlement of the land. We see the beneficial effects of the revival in the Raglan district, where so many mills are employed, in the absorption of all available labour and the increased occupation of land by new settlers. The industry is assuming all the characteristics of a one and a leadiugstaple of export. There should, therefore, be some close attention given to the systematic cultivation of flax The soil in many parts of the Waikato is suitable for its growth, and it is proved that it not'only yields an excellent return per acre, but also tends to improve the ground. We can safely predict that as this industry may now be considered a lasting one, our farmers, as a part of their regular operations, will adopt the cultivation of flax, and this course would probably be found as profitable "an undertaking as the production of other descriptions of crop?, and especially so, as in mauy_. cases the cost of bringing under cultivation, land growing heavy rlax, is not warranted, so long as waste lands more easily managed bear so large a proportion to many of the holdings in the district.

In this issue appears a notice of more than usual importance from Mr J. McNicol, one of our local auctioneers. He has decided to lay down the rule for conducting his business, in future, on a strictly cash basis. This may appear severe at first sight, but it is, without doubt, the right principle to adopt. Had this rule been in existence years ago, many a worthy settler who has succumbed to the depression, would now be still in a good, sound position. When the North New Zealand Fanners' Co-oper-ative Society was formed it was generally hoped they would restrict the unlimited credit system. But they departed from the true principle of co-operation and came to grief, in consequence. _ The newly-formed Farmers 1 Association, we are pleased to say, is following the true course. The cash system enables men with ready money to obtain the greatest advantage in the open market. They are not eventually called upon to pay for the losses of over-sanguine or speculative people who back themselves against time. It is surprising that the bond fide buyers did not long ago object to be placed in competition with men of the reckless class referred to. Such competition is manifestly unfair to the man with the sovereigns in his pocket as against the man who may have them if " all goes well in a few months' time." It is clear that during a period of falling markets such as we have experienced, when cattle have been selling under cost, that the losses have been sustained chiefly by the auctioneers. There are, of course, instances where would-be buyers, with ample provision for carrying stock, do not possess ready cash. In such cases they should apply for assistance to our financial institutions whose legitimate business it is to receive applications of the kind, and who are best able to judge the position and soundness of the customers, We shall look forwai d with hope to the time when the cash principle will become prevalent in all branches of trade, for nothing will more help to restore the people to prosperity and keep them so.