THE FLAX EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13762, 29 May 1908, Page 3

THE FLAX EXHIBITION.

GOVERNMENT TO LIBERALLY ASSIST. The promotion of a New Zealand Flax Exhibition in Wellington is practically under way. The flaxmillers' associations favour the idea and the Department of Agriculture is ready to do all in its power to further it. All that is now required (says- the Wellington Times) is the active co-operation ;of millers. Judging by the calibre and pro- | gressiveness of many of the men connected with the industry this will be forthcoming. The exact need is a management committee enjoying the confidence of millers throughout the Dominion. Given this the, exhibition cannot fail of success. The Department of Agriculture is prepared to assist the exhibition to liberal extent. It will provide free of charge a. building for the purpose—the old Drill Shedtogether with free lighting. It will make a display of flax plants in all stages of development, and a practical demonstration — from its Waerenga Experimental Station, in the Waikato—of the most apuroved method of propagating flax plants. In addition in these cultivation exhibits it will chow the dressed fibres from the different varieties grown at the Weraroa Experimental Station, as well as samples of manilla and sisal fibres, which have.been obtained in London by the Secretary for Agriculture, Mr. John D. Ritchie, in view of the- exhibition. These are " fair' sampler and will be accompanied by particulars of their market value at the time, they were purchased. These interest* ing exhibit* have arrived by the Atlienic. The Department's experts will, of course, be in attendance at the exhibition, and generally assist the, educative side of the undertaking. It is probable a competition will be. arranged for dressed fibre, for which a prize fund could easily be raised—a gold medal and certificates would probably be more appreciated than money prizes. Exhibit- by mill plant manufacturers and agents should be a prominent feature, and if the several new patents being introduced are too heavy or 100 large to be exhibited it is to be hoped models will be prepared by the patentees. Cordage manufacturers will doubtless display their wares, and an interesting collection could tie secured in the Dominion of fabrics made from New Zealand hemp. i A section could be set apart for Maori , work, in order to show the beautiful effects ! obtained by the natives in the many useful ; and ornamental articles they manufacture I from the hand-dressed fibre. This could be ! made one of the most popular displays yet i brought together in the Dominion. It would ! add greatly to the practical benefit of the I exhibition to millers could new mechanical j ideas for dressiiifj and treating the fibre be I shown in operation.