NEW ZEALAND FLAX

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21278, 3 September 1932, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND FLAX

The recommendations of the Imperial Economic Committee in regard to New Zealand hemp suggest new possibilities for an industry that is now in a depressed condition. From the brief cabled message it would appear that the committee considers there is room for improvement in the machinery used and that field research is necessary. So far the industry has been limited to the production of hemp only, and in normal times the export has been of considerable importance. In 1913 its value was £722,000 and during the war years it rose to the peak figure of £1,400,000. Thereafter it fluctuated, but in 1025 and 1026 it exceeded half a million. Now there seems every hope of flax forming the basis of a much more comprehensive industry. It has been proved to be highly suitable for the production of cellulose, from which is manufactured artificial silk yarns, hydrate transparent sheets, moulded plastics, wall boards and paper. With the fibre itself there are hopes of manufacturing wool packs, and it' is understood the opinion of Bradford as to the suitability of containers of this material is being awaited. Manila hemp has been pre-eminent for cordage, and in some fields African sisal has been a strong competitor, but recent tests of New Zealand hempen rope encourage the hope that it would be approved for marine purposes. At Massey Agricultural College botanical flax research has been carried on for some years and among the important achievements has been the crossing of a diseaseresisting strain with the variety yielding the largest and strongest fibre. „Without dogmatising on the subject it may be stated that from all the work that has been .done in that and other fields a new economic outlook is being created for the industry. and further stimulus may come from the investigations which the Imperial Economic Committee has in mind. Phormium tenax, once described as New Zealand's most valuable plant., may eventually be the source of great wealth to the country. ■ ,