THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13672, 13 February 1908, Page 8

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

i "I would lie a retry bold mart," said Mr i 3. A. Johnstone, managing ; director of J Wright, Stephenson ant! Co., to a Btsnedic I hit* rvi-v.«-!•. ■ when asked as lib Th-« future { probabilities!, of the he'irvp'.mArltc-.t,."if I'&fc. tempted to give any propfeey in regard:.i«. j tit/ 1 probable/cuttr*&:' til the 'ikx market! i This commodity is -probably i.ls«& most fhtetiirating with ~• which wo havo to do in New Zealand, and it is- particuL'tiiy difficult to I follow tlwi frequohvriaes and falls''in prices," j It>trem« to rue,'however, thai, .apart from pome unforeseen' feel or, there is No.£ease» I to suppose that we 1 shall .see "a return of | ifes high prices (.hot I&iva ruled daring tht J lii*i- few years; The advance in hemp thai | Jed to the. revival of .the Iks; industry v w I (he result of the disorganisation oi the trade j in Manila consequent on tint Sp&idsh-Ameri-i can war, Xarmal conditions now <yern to { iuivt- been restored hi that country, and j prices* are therefore likely to remain fyine- | whore About tho level they occupied be sou i the war. It- would seem, too, that our flax | will have to meet the competition of a tibi* I that is bibig produced in South Africa, | and tills is another matter that is likely 1 to prevent a .repetition of the recent high ! price.*.-" la my opinion, rlaxmillers need not | look for much profit from their industry [ until » lower range of values for the r.v. I matt-rial is established."