OLDEST N.Z. INDUSTRY

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 10 March 1934, Page 6

OLDEST N.Z. INDUSTRY

FLAX FIBRE PRODUCTION MOVEMENT TOR REVIVAL. OPENING OF FOXTON FACTORY. ADDRESS BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press 4s&ociAtioD.} FOXTON, March 9. Speaking to-day at a ceremony in connection with the establishment of a new phormium tenax factory, the Rt. Hon 1 . J. G. Coates said he was glad to be present at the inauguration of a move towards rehabilitating New Zealand’s oldest industry, the oldest not only in the pakeha history in New Zealand but also in Maori history. Of all the industries that suffered reverses the flax industry had been among the hardest hit. To-day the industry languished, employing a mere handful of workers and exporting but a fraction of the fibre it once sent to the worid’s markets. Thirty years ago over 4000 persons were employed in the flax industry and fibre worth over £500,000 was exported!.

The contrast made it imperative to Seek the causes and to. ascertain if possible means whereby the industry might be restored to its former importance. They must deal with the present difficult position' as best they could. If those responsible for the direction of a business, the leadership of industry or the policy of a nation were not men of vision who 1 were not only looking around them with intensity, but also thinking some years ahead 1 , calamity was only a question of time. Employment was to be found only through increased industrial activity. Increased industrial activity would arise from increased prices for exportable commodities, the gaining of new markets for products and the creation of entirely new industries. Probably one of the causes of the decline of the phormium tenax industry —as indeed it was one of the failings of most of the Dominion’s export industries I —was insufficient study by manufacturers of the market requirements. They 'had not realised sufficiently the importance of more intensive study of markets and marketing conditions.

Mr Coates appealed to all those engaged in the production of raw material to make as a national duty every effort to do their part towards success by taking personal interest and pride in supplying only the best raw material, and so make New Zealand phormium tenax and its products the best in the world judged by the only standards that, counted and which were expressed by the market demand. 'lt was important that suitable varieties should be established for the purpose of keeping abreast of rival fibres in competing countries, and with these improvements in fibre it was equally important that mechanical treatment of the flax should also improve.