NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1308, 25 January 1868, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

We published a few days since the discouraging report of Mr. Morrison, the Wellington Government agent in London, on the New Zealand flax imported to the Home market arrived ex Witch of the Tees. From private sources we learn that this sample was one of tlie veriest rubbisli lot exported from Kew Zealand, and that it is not surprising tliat it should be compared unfavorably with -Esparto grass, which can be had for purposes of papermaking at £4 10s per ton. It happens, however, tliat one of our Auckland merchants has received by last mail, advices respecting shipments of flax made by him to his London agents, and these tell a very diflent tale. Consignments of New Zealand flax by Southern Cross, and which were all more or less damaged by sea water in their transit, realised an average price of £21 per ton, and the advisers stated that had they arrived sound the value instead of ,£2l would have been £2S Derton. This is encouraging in the face of Mr. Morrison's statements, which really, when explained amount to nothing. The chief difficulty at present is the high price of freight, which discourages exporters, and the small and intermittent character of the consignments which is most discouraging to manufacturers at home, who will not erect new machinery, and alter their class of goods unless they see their way to obtain a regular supply of the article. The flax trade will, however, we trust, steadily increase, and thus this latter obstacle to its full development will be removed. It was the same with the China grass when it was first introduced at home—samples sold at from £10 to £15 per ton. When, however, a regular supply wan sent, and its value became well known, the price went up to near £100 per ton.