THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10359, 14 May 1895, Page 6

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

TO THB EDITOR. Sir, —I see thafc the Flax Commissioners of 1891-95 have sent in their report fco the Hon. the Minister for Agriculture on the various methods aud machines employed in the art of flaxdressing that are competing for the bonus that is being sffered by the Government, and the result is as everybody expected—that there is no improvement in the dressing of our flax since the commission was last appointed and reported 23 years ago. Sir, our Government are offering a bonus of part of £1700 to anyone that is smart enough to go into a business, and make it pay, fchafc hundreds have gone stonebroke afc, and a business that established firms have left off in the year just gone-^-a business fchafc at the present time is Qown afc zero; a business that to go into would require the expenditure t>£ at least £600, for I can't see how anyone can compete without a mill. Besides, ifc is a calling which seems to have baffled all who have tried ib as yet; and if the adventurer happened to produce the required article—that is, fibre like the sample submitted, and afc a cost; not fco exceed the present marketable quality—he would get part of the bonus, offered. And the flaxmillers of the colony, if adopting the new method, would, amongst tbem, make the whole of the bonus in one week,. without any. risk whatever.

Sir, I am exceedingly sorry that it has fallen to my lot to advocate the cause of the flax industry; However, I suppose I must face it. Our members can't have the remotest idea of the grandeur of the flax industry if ifc was properly established when they show co much indifference towards it, and of the great amount of excellent labour thafc ifc wonld require. I suppose there are some of them fchat ] don't care much so long as they are right themselves. But, Sir, when we look around and see so many yonng men and boys unemployed, I think it behoves all of us to try and find a remedy. The flax industry, if it was properly established, would be quite a, windfall to New Zealand, and utilise a product that is going to waste all over the colony. If properly dressed there is no doubt it would fetch double the money that ifc does at present. The commissioners are going to advise Government to extend the time, so as to allow compttitors time to grow rich and complete their severalmachines and methods. But iE the commissioners think there is a machine or method amongst the lot; thafc will dress our flax better and cheaper than the present mode, I think that they should be empowered to finish ifc, and let the colony get; along, for we are standing waiting on it. Sir, I have been favoured with a look at the list of machines and methods that are competing for this bonu3, and lata not afraid to say thafc there is not one in the list as described that will dress a better fibre, or help to, than the present methodA I except No. 13, Briso and Co., Wellington. 'But I don't; for a moment; think that ib will dre3s flax. Only ib has one good point, and that is that tha leaves are fed sideways and not-endways as* afc present. For flax can't be dressed either:in quantity, or quality except' ifc goes through the mill sideways. These sample, are all dressed on the transverse principle, and there is notbiDg wonderful about it but its simplicity. I should like to see the Hon. Mr Bolt take up the subject, for then I know thafc he would have it out, and make New Zealand hum in the flax line. The saving in the transverse system of flax dressing is that it makes no tow, it requires no scutching, aad there is no stripper; the. flax is dressed and done with in one minute, or' one 1 and a-half minutss—that depends on the quality of yarn that is being made. But yarn like the sample would take one minute. In quantity, a little more could be dressed than by the present mode, because some blades of flax are six feet long, and they are only three inches wide. However, they must be fed single leaves at a time, and as quickly as you like, and sideways. -

Now, Sir, I am come to the place fchafc seems fco frighten everybody—that is the financing. You know that a fifty pound note doesn't go far in an engineer's shop. Now, a mill such aa I have partly described will cost £50 at the very least, for some parts have to come from the old country, although it can all be made in Dunedin. Now, it is not myself alone that is going to be benefited by this ; the whole colony will. Well, then, if our Government will provide a suitable house, with power, shafting, &c, I will subscribe £10, and our members of Parliament might subscribe £1 each: Flax could be brought in by the train. It would be the means of keeping a few in work in the winter months. Investors to.be paid back their money cent, per cent. I will provide plans and superintend the erection of the, machine, adjust ifc, and show how,.to dress New Zealand flax.

Sir, I saw in the Otago Witness lately an offer of £25,000 and royalties worth some thousands a year for the same machine fchafc I have on several occasions for nothing offered fco my adopted country (" and ye would nob "), and now I make an offer of * £10 wifch *it and my services, which can't be replaced for another £50. Sir, lam well aware that it would never do for a Government to listen to Tom, Dick, and-Bob ; but afc the same time thafc same law might any day cost New, Zealand the.hidden method of dressing, her native flax,—l am, &c., Mornington, May 13. Robt. Easton,