GROWTH OF THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13392, 22 January 1907, Page 3

GROWTH OF THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

THE CENSUS RETURNS,

The flax industry was in the lowest, depths of depression at. the time of the census of 1896. At that time only 52 mills were left in operation, and the hands employed had fallen in number to 484 men and 163 lioys. Returns for 1901 showed a revival in the mills to 101 in operation, with 1519 men and 179 boys. But the census returns for 1906 show 240 mills in operation during April of that, year, with 3951 men ami 125 boys employed thereat. Tho wages paid stood at £101,046 for the year 1900, but increased to £227,460 for 1905, while nearly 2.00.000 tons of raw material were used in 1905 and 22,000 tons of fibre dressed, besides 2439 tons of tow produced. The money \aim; of the total output was £557,803, against £203.492 in 1900 and £32.546 in 1895. Of the total value of output for 1905 the provincial district of Wellington contributed th" most (£189,002). Ota go followed with £139,099, and Auckland took third pi re (£137.426). For the other provincial districts the output ranged from £25,000 to £11,000. The grading of phormium for exportation from New Zealand by a Government official under regulations has the effect of preventing badly-dressed flax of an inferior quality from being sent away and thus injuring the reputation of the article generally by depreciation. The most important particulars given in the returns for 1906 are as follows, the figures in parentheses for 1901 being for the sake of comparison : —Number of works. 240 (101): number o' hands employed, 4076 11698); amount paid in wages. £227.460 (£101,046): amount of horse-poiver, 3057 h.p. ; 1190 h.p.); approximate value of land, £192.471 (£24.644); approximate value of buildings, £43,751 (£11.21--,); approximate value of machinery and plant. £119.618 (£28,590). The raw material used during 1905 amounted to 199,171 tons worth £185,894, as against. 96.571 tons worth £53,064 in 1900.