THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13699, 16 March 1908, Page 6

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

VISIT TO PIAKO SWAMP

VIEWS ON TOE TRADE OK ISIS.

Mi:. M. F. Boukkk, of Wellington, owner of flaxmills at Ma tat a, I'iako. Waikaka, and other places, who lias just paid a visit to the I'iako swamp and inspected the drainage works proceeding there, was seen by a Herald reporter on Saturday morning prior to his departure for Rotorua, en route to the .South. Sir. Bourke expressed himself its highly pleased with (lie good work already done on the i'iako swamp. The engineer in charge (.Mr. Brcakall) had, he remarked, made wonderful improvements both in the direction of drainage, and in clearing 'lie I'iako River. The effect of the former work was even now showing, and .Mr. Bourko said he was firmly convinced that apart from its flax growing possibilities the I'iako swamp land in course of drainage" would shortly bo the home of prosperous farmers. In the portions of the area drained where flax roots were the flax is now growing so densely that in places it has the appearance of a crop of sugarcane or maize. Though a great area of the I'iako swamp was swept by the recent tires, the latter had really done good to a. considerable degree, having cleared up a lot of rubbish, and with the drains going through the land (he flax would get ahead of the ratipo and toe-toe. As a result of the snagging and clearance of willows, Mr. Bourke said that ii was now possible to take a steamer like the Wakaterc, which runs between Auckland and (lie Thames, 30 miles up the I'iako River, whereas hitherto only small scows have been able to navigate the stream. The gigantic roots and logs pulled out spake well for the capabilities of the engineer. The main canal route from Waikaka to Waitakaruru had Ix-en already lined and drained right through in readiness for the two dredges now on their way out from Home. Mr. Bourko considered that great credit, was duo to the Minister, to Mr. Kensington (Under-Secretary for Public Works), and to Mr. Brcakall, for the businesslike way in which the whole of the works are being carried out. He also considered that the district was fortunate in having a representative in the House like Mr. Hugh Poland, who had taken so keen an interest in this undertaking of the Government. The splendid soil he saw in parts of the Piako swamp ho considered to be equal, if not superior, to that on the Manawatu swamp. THE EXISTING SLUMP. Asked to state his opinion on the present crisis in the flax industry arid the state of the hemp market, Mr. Bourke said:—"A lot of people are 'funking' it, but my candid opinion is that the market is like all others —subject to fluctuations. Owing to the financial tightness in America a slump has set in in the fibre market. It may last a year, it may last longer; but ultimately I think prices will improve. I have just closed down the last of my mills, but that by no means implies that I am going to let them go to ruin. In fact, at, Waikaka 1 am installing a gas plant, and with lower royalties, and provided the employees are prepared to listen to reason, this mill may be got going next season. If the men are prepared to suspend the Arbitration Court's award and meet the employers I don't consider there is any great cause for alarm. In any case, however, a great quantity of grown blade has been destroyed this year from the swamps I have already seen in the Auckland province." ROYALTIES AND GRADING. Mr. Bourke went on to say that he had had most of his mills closed for some time, and questioned, as to the reason he replied, "Because 1 found I could buy flax. at a lower cost than I could mill it where I had to pay royalties. I consider," he added, "that the high royalties charged by owners of the grown blade has more to do with the present;, crisis than the existing labour trou- ! bles. Another point is this: I do not consider that the present system of grading is all that could be desired. Owing to the absence of the chief hemp grader the graders in the different ports seem to bo at- sixes and sevens. * Their decisions frequently are considerably at variance, one man going many points higher than another or vice versa. This has had a serious effect upon the flaxmillers of the Dominion, and I say unhesitatingly that the alteration of the grading system" has been anything but beneficial to the llaxuiilling industry in New Zealand."