SEASON CLOSING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 113, 12 April 1929, Page 7

SEASON CLOSING

the flax industry,

REVIEW of conditions.

An IMPROVEMENT EXPECTED,

Although the general conditions have been less favourable this year, accordlnS to the estimate of a local grower, a Standard” reporter was to-day informed that the flax industry is exsMon t 0 return a yield of about =1420,000 for the season now drawing to ?■ close, based on a production of about 15,000 tons of liemp. This indicates the expanding value of- the industry to ■New Zealand, and the development winch it promises now that systematic plantation methods on approved lines have been adopted; Within a few weeks, operations in the southern Manawatu will, it is stated, be suspended for the winter months, and some fifteen mills will be affected, practically all being expected to close down for a short period. This will render 450 men at present engaged in the work idle, but it is anticipated that their employment will only be terminated for about eight weeks until the milling is resumed again. In the interim, many will probably secure work in drain-laying and other avenues of employment. • v DECLINE IN OUTPUT. The output of hemp lias, the “Standard” representative was informed, dropped lately, due to the prevailing conditions last year ; 8704 bales were graded in March, but the total for the corresponding period of this year was 6869 bales. This is accounted for by unfavourable prices inducing less cutting. i The position of the market for hemp is attributed to the effects of a bad typhoon in Manila. The flax from the plantations which suffered had to be dealt with promptly, and dressed for export before it became unfit for use. Consequently the heavy production which followed caused a glut in the market, reducing the demand for the Dominion’s liemp. An improvement in prices was, it was stated, expected next season, and, in the event of the market showing an upward tendency, the position would be reflected in the employment figures, owing to increaesd cutting. Although last year some 89,000 bales were graded, at the end of the present season, the figures in that respect were not expected I to excedd 70,000, indicating a fair decline. In the previous year, however, prices were better, and more cutting was done. INCREASE IN PLANTATIONS. It was stated that another,.factor to be taken into consideration ' was the fact that most of he New Zealand leaf was taken from natural swamps, and, when the miffing of this class of leaf ceased, the output declined substantially. As flax was grown in only about 5000 acres of plantations, the complaint had frequently been made by buyers that the production was irregular. That, however, was gradually being remedied with the expansion of the plantations and in two or three years a big increase in the output could be anticipated. There was an improved outlook for the whole industry, and the important research work of rather an exhaustive nature at present being undertaken should give valuable results.