The Marlborongh Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1891. THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVII, Issue 13, 16 January 1891, Page 2

The Marlborongh Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1891. THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

♦ -An improvement m the price of flax has led, according to our North Island exchanges, to a fresh impetus being given to the industry, and we note that both m the Msnawatu and Wairarapa districts this movement is particularly noticeable. One effect of the drop which occurred some nine or twelve months ago has been that greater care has been taken m the preparation of the fibrej a result brought about greatly by the Wellington merchants, who have experts m the districts named for the purpose of examining the fibre, and classifying it. The consequeuces of the partial stoppage of the industry will thus m the long run be beneficial, though there is no reason to suppose that the high prices then obtained are likely to be again reached, owing to the decided drop m fibres of all kinds. During the last session of Parliament a Committee was set up, on which Mr Dodson had a seat, to consider matters pertaining to the development of this industry, and the report of that Committee has been embodied m the Parliamentary blue books. The uses to which flax was put at one time puzzled colonials considerabl, as it was thought probable it was being utilised m some other fashion than for cordage, but this doo3 not seem to have been borne out by evidence collected by the Agent General. Its chief use at present is m rope and twine-makiog, either alone, or with Manilla. The results of the Committee's inquiry virtually wa3 that the Government should bo recommended to offer a bonus of £10,000 for the encouragement of the flax industry to bo devoted to the following purposes :— (a) For a process of flax-dressing which will reduce the cost of production ; (b) for a process which will improve the quality of dressed fibre, making it suitable for textile purposes ; (c) for a mode of utilising the waste products of the industry. They also reported m favor of steps being taken to establish classification at the port of export, to be undertaken by Inspectors appointed by Government, and that the Government should confer with bempmillers for the purpose of framing regulations. With respect to these recommendations we may say that the bonus system so far as it has been introduced into thi3 Colony has not baen productive of much good, and the faot that a small fortune awaits anyone who can achieve that cheaper production, bsttsr fibre, or the utilisation of the waste products will ba quite enough inducement for most inventive geniuses. The establish ment of classification however i 3 a point which the Government should take up, and we would urge it iv connection with the export of butter and cheese just as much as with that of flax. Time and again he.3 the attention of exporters been called to the varying qualities of these articles sent Home from N.Z. Not only should classification be adopted, but if possible the exportation of the qualities which are good for little should be stopped, as leading m the long run to substantial damage to the Colony. If the exports could be graded on a uniform scale, and 'marked as having passed a Government Inspector, the London buyer would have something reliable on which to work, and prices would be less varying and more satisfactory m every way. Not only would tbe knowledge that every bale of flax had to bo inspected be a deterrent to slipshod or dishonest manufacturers, but the producer who turned out firstclass material would know that his efforts would be fruitful, because by getting into the highest standard he would get the highest price, and not be made to suffer for the sins of his neighbours. How this system works m the Irish butter trade was thus stated by a Blenheim witness before the Committee: — "In Ireland, I understand, it is customary — m fact, I know it to be absolutely the case— that butter, for instance, m the South of Ireland— in Cork —is examined by experts and branded, and the butter is sold upon a basis m that way. As an instance, every farmer sends bis butter to the butter exchange, and there it is branded with the Government brand. There are two Inspectors who examine the butter, and if they have any doubts about it they refer it to another, and so on to the end of the chapter with the whole lot of casks, some thousands of which arc examined from time to time. That beiDg the case, there ia no uncertainty with regard to the sale of the particular produce, because it is branded, and it goes to the outer world — to London, for instance — with the Government brand upon it ; and it insures for the farmer a price according to the value o* the market at the time. Some of the gentlemen present would know that Russian tallow is dealt with m a similar way— it is sold on what is termed the "brack" of one season as compared with the 'brack" of another season. In that -way the producer is enabled to get the standard value of his article without any referenae to arbitration, ~which unfortunately takes place m the sale of New Zealand hemp at present." There are other points m the report worthy of notice, such as the injury don? by ths reckless cutting of flax to the obtaining of a continuous supply, and this we know to be a serious grievance ; one which is likely m many districts to lead to the total exhaustion of the plant, and the extinction of the industry. In this respect flaxcutters are very much like sealers, the one class cut and slash away without any thought of the future, the other kill young and old seals, m season and out of season, though they know that m doing so they are m tbe long run bound to exterminate the animals from whioh their living is gained. The report of the same Committee on thedairying industry is replete with information, of which we shall take an early opportunity of giving a digest.