THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2249, 8 April 1897, Page 6

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Mr John Holmes, tho flax expert, who is touring the colony to raise funds to eecure the Government Bubs : dy of pound for pound to defray tho expense of sending an expert to America and England, has returned from Invercargill, where he was well received by tboie interested. As the reasons for lending an expert abroad are not generally understood, it may be pointed out that since 1891 the exporb of fibre decrcastd from £382,000 to £21,000 ia 1895. In 1890, 177 mills were at work, employing 3204- men and boys. It is bslisved that if the requirements of the markets were definitely ascertained, the New Zealand hemp could ba dressed to meet these requirement?, and % steady market secured If r,hab should prove to be the case, it is evident that every merchant, trader, farmer, and every worker ia interested in tho reoulb of tbe mission, as emplo>menfc would be increased with a. corresponding improvement in trade, and a waste product would bo converted into a marketable commodity. Ib has been invariably found tlinfc unless the manufacturer is prepared to manufacture the oluss of article required he muit soon go to the wall. The manufacturer has his travellers in each market who advises him how far his goods meet the requirements of the probable purchaser, and it is proposed to send an export *way to take the place of the commercial traveller. If tbe visit of the txperc remits in proving thab there is no hope for New Zealand hemp, that itself will be a distinct gaiu, as no ono would then think of iuvcotiug much capitfil in tho trade. But the results which have been achieved by the treatment of the Gnina grass rhea indicates tbat there are great woisibilities for the nix of New Zealand. By Gomes's chemical treatment of rhea the gum is got rid of, and the filasie produced is then most valuable.