CANTERBURY FLAX ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 663, 8 July 1870, Page 3

CANTERBURY FLAX ASSOCIATION.

♦- A meeting of the Sub-Committee was held at 2 p.m. yesterday, Mr E. Richardson in the chair. The following correspondence was read: — 1. Letter from his Honor the Superintendent; — '.. " House of Representatives, "June 23,1870. "Sir,— l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, enclosing a resolution passed by the subcommittee of the Canterbury Flax Association, in wbich I am asked to move in the General Assembly that a sum of money be placed on the estimates to enable Dr Hector to enlarge his experiments in the preparation of flax fibre. In reply, I have to state that I will take an early opportunity of bringing the subject before the Government and the General Assembly, and will endeavour to § remote the objects of the Association to the est of my power. ' "I have the honour to be, Sir, " Your obedient servrnt, "iW.' Rolleston, " The Hon. Sec., Canterbury Flax Association." •} 2. Letter from the Assistant Provincial Secretary enclosing the following copy of a. letter from: the Premier to the Commissioners in England on the subject ef flax: — " General Government Offices, " Wellington, 2nd June, 1870. " Gentlemen,-— A meeting has been held at Cbristchurcb, at which the Superintendent of Canterbury has been requested to bring under the notice of the Government the expediency of your endeavouring to collect all the information you can in England respecting the manufacture of the Phormium Tenax, and particularly oh the foUowing points: — "I. What objections are made to the article as at present offered in the market. "2. In what particulars it can be improved. "3. For what purposes and by whom it has been tested by actual use or- otherwise. "4. Has any of it found its way into foreign markets, and if so, with what result, and generally any other information. " If you find that any defects are attributed to it which might be probably removable by chemical or mechanical processes, it j would be very desirable that you should take I stepß to^ bring it under the notice of distinguished* practical chemists and machinists, i for which purpose you are authorised to incur a moderate outlay. " I have, &c, " (Signed) William Fox. " The Hon. F. D. Bell and the " Hon. J. E. Featherston, " Commissioners, &c." 3. Letter from a lady, with a description of -a machine which she saw used at the Paris Exposition (1867), and also specimens of flax prepared by it. 4/ Letter from Dr. Florance, enclosing sample of his latest researches in the art of flax dressing, and stating that at a future tiriie he intended giving an explanation of the process. After the passing of some accounts, the Committee adjourned untU 2 p.m., on Thursday next. A meeting of the General Committee was subsequently held, Mr Hassal presiding. The Chairman said that the meeting hod been called for the purpose of considering the advisability of taking steps to open up a

trade .in flax with . the United States .of America. Thenewsthathad been receivedfrom England had a very . damaging influence on this branch of native industry, and he thought it behoved them to do all that lay in their power to open up a fresh field, and endeavour to put the fibre into the American market in such a state as would commend itself to buyers in that country. He should like to hear the opinions of members of committee on the subject. Mr Richardson said he had not considered the matter, and he came to the meeting quite unprepared to discuss it. Mr Deßourbel, who could not attend, had asked him to move the following resolution : — " That the General Government be memorialised to appoint a gentleman to proceed to the United States for the purpose of endeavouring to open up a trade with that country, by allowing New Zealand flax and wool to be admitted free ; and if successful to remain there and act as agent for the whole of New Zealand." Mr Huddleston seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Curtis suggested that the words with regard to the free admission of flax and wool should be omitted. The United Stales Government could not alter the tariff, which was almost exclusive wiih regard to wool and flax. Such a charge could only be made by Congress. If wool were admitted free from New Zealand, the wool from other countries would also be admitted free, and he did not believe that the people of America were prepared for such a change in the tariff. He should not be surprised, however, to hear of the tax on wool being somewhat reduced. He did not see how an agent could effect any result by going to the American Government; he might do some good possibly by canvassing public opinion on the matter. He would have had no objection, therefore, to the resolution if the words to which he had referred were struck out. In reply to tbe Chairman, Mr Curtis said thatthe tax imposed by the United States Government was £3 on flax, £8 per ton on unmanufactured hemp, and £ > on Manilla hemp. , Mr Richardson agreed to the amendment suggested by Mr Curtis. Mr Curtis said that the Government of the United States would not enter into direct negotiations with the Government of New Zealand on a subject of tbis nature. Mr. Huddleston moved the following amendment :— "That the General Government be requested to take into consideration the desirability of instructing the commissioners to return to the colony via America, and to ascertain during their stay in the States how far it is practicable to open up a trade in flax and wool with that country." The Chairman threw out the suggestion that it might perhaps be advisable to charter a small vessel and send a trial cargo of flax to some port in the United States, each manufacturer contributing a certain proportion. The amendment was then put and carried nem.con. Mr Ensor moved the foUowing resolution, which had been suggested by Mr Dumergue, " That one ton of best ordinarily dressed flax, and half a ton of steamed flax be sent to the respective Admiralties of England, France, and America, with the request that the same maybe tested and reported on; that the sub-committee take what steps they think best to procure the funds for the above purpose either from the General or Provincial Government." Mr Huddleston seconded the resolution. Mr Banks considered that the motion was premature. Instead of sending home ordinary samples, they should send the very best samples. It would not do to stamp the character of the flax in the home and foreign markets. . Mr Duncan and other members were of a like opinion, and the consideration of the motion was postponed until next quarterly meeting. On the motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by Mr Rhodes, the Hon. John Hall was elected a member of the Association. Mr Hall had stated that he would do all in his power to forward the interests of the Association. - His Woroliip the Mayor moved, and Mr R. H. Rhodes seconded, the following resolution: — " That the thanks of the Association are due to the Hon. the Premier for the interest he has evinced in forwarding the objects of the Association by instructing the Commissioners to make enquiries in England likely to prove of great value to the Association, and that the Secretary be requested to forward to the Hon. Mr Fox a copy of the above resolution." The resolution was passed unanimously, after which the meeting terminated.