NEW ZEALAND FLAX IN AMERICA.

Colonist, Volume XV, Issue 1501, 13 February 1872, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FLAX IN AMERICA.

(From the Southern, Cross.)

Not the least important item of intelligence brought to hand by the mail is that relating to our phorraium tenax. From New York we learn that it ia fast superseding hemp, and that it is considered by the Americans to make a better rope ; and there is even encouragement in the qualifying remark: " Although not so clean-looking, still, for actual service, ib is far superior." It is not unexpected that this strong testimony should emanate from the United States. There is that in the mental peculiarities of the American people that prompts to view with favour and to give a fair trial that which is new. In England our fibre has not onlj had the ordinary difficulties to encounter which beset a new and unknown material, but ib has also had to overcome that national disinclination to change which is so marked in the English character. The American may not be equal to the English mind in the inventive faculty, bub it is certainly the superior in making the most of whatever is presented to the hand. That our phorrnium tenax has unquestionable sterling qualities, is just such a fact as would impress the American mind, and set its practical efforts to overcome the disabilit.es with which our fibre is invested ; aDd we have every reason to expect a more thorough test of its qualities among our American cousins than in conservative England. Its not being so " clean-looking" is apparently not accepted as sufficient to damn it in the comparison with the old materials; but the fact that, notwithstanding its unfinished state, the fibre should have its superior qualities admitted, is a proof that, in American hands, all that is in it of good will be developed, as far as ingenuity and perseverance and money can go in its development. This item of news 13 exceedingly encouraging, respecting a source of industry that will yet be valued as second to none in the Colony.