The Flax Industry

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 42, 13 November 1936, Page 11

The Flax Industry

Sir. —Our flax experts appear to bob up now and again just to remind us they are still alive —-and still on the pay-roll of the Government. Your “Special Service” message from Palmerston North published in your issue of November 11, is quite informative. Someone has “blown the gaff” ; the truth is out! “An experts’ committee has been advising the Government on rehabilitation possibilities 1” Now there will be something doing—rejoice, ye inhabitants of Manawatu, and fret not over your departed phormium glory; the committee of experts hath spoken! In the article we are told that “little publicity has as yet been given to the fact” that there is an experts’ committee, and apparently your informant is “in the know,” for he is able to tell ns what the “recommendations” and “proposals” are to the Government.

Incidentally, although it is mentioned that, the Manawatu alone “once employed more than the total of workers now engaged in the industry throughout New Zealand’’ (and this is undisputed), we are told in the same article that the “crude methods” and “present crops” will require to give place to something else —has not Massey College proved this by planting 46 acres iu Shannon! Swamp country is no good and marketing methods are similarly bad. What is wanted we are distinctly told—and the market for “similar fibres” consumes half a million tons annually! A luring picture indeed. Now, sir, Government experts have been telling us this for a few years. One such, still in the employ of tile Government, told a “Dominion” reporter 11 years ago that “the possibilities of flaxgrowing were just beginning to be realised in this country” and that “ the hemp industry is second to none in this Dominion.” “Transplanting nothing but the best varieties will give a quick return,” this party said, and added that “most of New Zealand’s swamp lands were suitable for flax cultivation,’’ But the crowning statement of all was that “the best thing about flax cultivation is there will never be any danger of a glut on the market!” Yes, that was in 1925. when New Zealand hemp and East African sisal exports

were much on a par. What has happened since? , „ , , It is enlightening to go further back. The “annual consumption of similar fibres” mentioned by your Palmerston North correspondent amounted to 360,000 tons in 1913. of which New Zealand contributed, in hemp and tow, 34,391 tons or, eav, one ton in 10. By 1929 the figures were 503,000 and 14,000 respectively thus New Zealand contributed one ton in every 36. By 1934 the position was worse—much worse—for although the “similar fibres” total was 488,000 tons, New Zealand did not export one ton to every 100.