THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2769, 12 April 1890, Page 2

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

TO THE KDITOn. Sir,—There appears from a Hamilton correspondent of the " Herald" of the 2nd inst. The statistics collected by the police by order of the Government. The number of flaxmills (28) output of dressed flax (183 A) tons weekly, approximate ostimate of acreage of flax land (15,291) acres in the four counties of Waipa, Waikato, Raglan, and Kawhia. Estimating the cost of production at £1G per ton, giving a weekly expenditure, chiefly labour, of £1331. The correspondent who appears fairly well versed in the subject, states " The recent rise of flax in the home market, though encouraging as an crnest of a still farther increase of price, is not sufficient to give a profit on the production of the article, and is is feared that many mills will yet be closed before the prosperity of the industry is assured." Since the rise in price reforred to, New Zealand hemp has again fallen £2 per ton. The price of New Zealand hemp is governed by its quality, Mr C. Spurlings report for February states " the principle decline in New Zealand hemp has been in common, and middling qualities, whilst of really good and fine, there has been but little offering, and prices show'no material change," further on Mr Spurling states, with the presentdull look out, it is more than ever necessary that New Zealand hemp should be yet better cleaned, etc. Who are to blame if the mills are shut up? None but the mill-owners themselves. To whom are the public to look to to answer the inquiry? The flax-dresser ; he is the responsible party. If he purposely, either by design or neglect (which is culpable), produces an article that will not command a first or profitable price at the sales, he has himself alone to charge with the loss. From England, America, the AgentGeneral, and all fibre brokefs has come the advice to New Zealand—make a clean, soft, white fibre. What is the practical reply by last mail ? " Low and common qualities accumulating, depress the market." The principle must be recognised by New Zealand flax-dressers generally in preparing our flax —properly and thoroughly well cleancd. The fibre of manilla and sisal are properly cleaned for the market. Why half dress New Zealand hemp? The whole of the New Zealand flax leaf must lie properly manufactured. The yield of fibre is enormous to that of either manilla or sisal, l't is only the low and disgraceful manner in which flax-dressers prepare what they call flax and export it. Quantity has had its day; anything now will not do; the word substitute is crowded. New Zealand hemp must compete, which is the very easiest thing to be done, and that successfully. Those that have embarked their capital in the hemp manufacture need not be under the least apprehension that with a properly-prepared hemp their investment is not in any jeopardy. With proper machinery, not depending upon that generally used, as that only half cleans the fibre, the price stated by the London brokers, £29 to £32 per ton, is obtainable. Why not obtain it ? With this, other machinery to reduce the cost of production is forthcoming, doing away with hand washing and stripping, taking the fibre from the strippers, doing away with takers-off, shakers, washers, &c. The fibre from each flax leaf is thoroughly washed, and held separate, a boy classifying short, long, fine, coarse and damaged, keeping all equally separate for drying and scutching. New Zealand need not fear a rival, even with the increase of manilla, and that of sisal, with the bounty of £4 13s 4d in the Bahamas. We have the quality, if we will produce it; we have the quantity of fibre in the plant such as no other fibre plant in the world has beside. We only need the determination, and with that, keep the fibre when manufactured out of the hands of secondary agencies and small speculators.—Yours, etc., Albert Poltuk.