THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5732, 30 October 1905, Page 3

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT. EXPORTATION OF INFERIOR FIBRE. The Agricultural. Pastoral, and Stock Committee of the House of Representatives, reporting on the flax industry, says that communications wore sent by authority to all the Chambers of Commerce, i'iaxmillers’ Associations, and individuals known to be interested in the flax industry in the colony, inviting witnesses to appear and give evidence in every phase of the industry.^ In response to this invitation, twenty witnesses appeared before the committee, which sat eight days faking evidence. Tho committee Is of opinion that the evidence given is most valuable and must bo of great utility in guiding the Department of Agriculture In framing amended regulations to meet the requirements of the industry, which is essentially national. The committee strongly recommends that the department be authorised to tako immediate steps to promote bv all available means the cultivation of flax, tho evidence having conclusively shown tho necessity of such a course. The committee does not feel justified in recommending that the export of inferior fibre should he prohibited. The committee specially approves the statement made by, the chief grader, viz., ithut the department intended by amended regulations, to reduce the difference between the various grades of quality of dressed flax, from fifteen points to seven. In discussing the report, on Saturday, in the House, Hou T. F. Duncan. Minister of Agriculture, said the putting into use of inferior flax ought to be prohibited. The evidence showed conclusively tnat the flax in New Zealand was not sufficient to maintain the present output and in the South especially the supply was being destroyed by bad cutting. Mr Buchanan questioned whether the Government was not going further than it should. Thev might as well interfere with the manner in which the farmer harvested his crops; Mr Kirkbride said they might just as well prohibit the export of inferior wool. It would be a good thing to appoint instructors to teach flnxmillers how to get up the raw material and how to plant flax.