N.Z. Flax Culture in Japan

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 174, 26 July 1939, Page 4

N.Z. Flax Culture in Japan

Highly Profitable Industry DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY The prospects of r: . . A ng New Zealand flax (Phormiuin fenax Forst) in Japan are showing increasing signs of a bright future, according to Wan Nomura, engineer of the Planning Board, brought about by a steady and rising demand for the libro from this plant. Thriving iu subtropical and temperate zones, this native plant of New Zealand produces hard fibre of exceptionally good quality second only to the highest grade Manila hemp and is providing to be ideal for the Japanese climate, states an article iu the Juno I issue of the Japan Times Weekly. The total output of hard fibre throughout the world at present is approximately 450,000 tons of which Nov/ Zealand flax occupied 30,000 tons, with New Zealand producing 25,000 tons and Japan 5000 tons. The flax is chiefly produced in this country in Kyushu, although small scale cultivation is also conducted in various other parts, namely, in the xirefectures of Aichi, Ibaraki, Nara and Chiba. Some 90 large and small concerns arc engaged in this industry and the most prominent arc the Nainpo Scn-i K.lv., Kokuci Sangyo lv.K., Fukoku Seu-i K.K., and Chijiiwa Shokusun Kogyo K.K. The industry of ruising New Zealand flax iu this country has had more ups and downs, it can be said without exaggeration, than any other sinco its introduction in 1896 (states the writer). Tho develoximeut was not rapid until a few years ago, and when its importance was realised deplorable abuse of some brought about Government warning on the cultivation of the plant.iThis naturally affected the industry drastically and the total area of over 130,000 acres in 1935 dwindled abruptly to 50/ 000 acres in 1936, but the recent steady demand for the fibre has again increased the area to nearly 100,000 acres at present.

Tho cost of producing good quality New Zealand flax today is approximately 210 yen (£ls New Zealand) at the most and as the leaves are cropped annually after it is three years old, the industry as a whole is decidedly profit able with the possibility of becoming a successful competitor with other libro producing countries. At present the output in Japan is totally inadequate to meet the demand, which is reflected in the abnormal price ranging from 500 yen (£35 N.Z.) to 609 yen (£42 N.Z.) when even the Manilahemp is quoted at from 330 yen (£23 N.Z.) to 340 yen £24 N.Z.). That the industry should bo encouraged and the cultivation conducted more aggressively is the conclusion reached by those concerned, as the exportation of the fibre is of decided economical advantage to Japan. Besides being used in the place of Manila hemp, the leaves of the plant in the opinion of the writer, serve ns good paper pulp and already good quality Japanese paper is made from its pulp. Another important application of the leaves is for rayon pulp, although this is still in an experimental stage. Although other uses of the leaves are highly developed abroad, such as the rayon textile called “Royonade ,, made in New Zealand, they are invariably in an experimental stage as yet in this countrv.

The value of New Zealand flax is steadily being acknowledged and its demand is mounting bringing the price abnormally high. While the present high price is by no means the criterion for its cultivation in the future, its actual economical value is drawing the attention of a number of influential business men.