Southland, New Zealand 🌍

Southland (#nz70)

Southland Times, Issue 742, 28 October 1867

The utilisation of New Zealand flax haa for years been an object which many have sought after. It has long been acknowledged that the native flax of this colony for length and strength of fibre was unsurpassed, but that owing to the existence of a resinous gum which was difficult to extract, to render it marketable, except by an expensive process, that would prevent it becoming an article of profitable export. Thus years have rolled by, and tens of thousands of tons of a valuable export has been destroyed. It is evident, however, that this will not be the case in future. Some eighteen months since the utilisation of the flax became a prominent topic of discussion in the north, arising from an accident or discovery that the flax in the locality of some camping ground of cattle was more flexible than that in other parts of the same field; this led to experiments being made as to the use of a solution of cow-dung as an extracter of the resinous matter alluded to which proved so far successful, that a good marketable article was produced. Still it was found that the article required for the solution could not be obtained in sufficient quantity, at little labor and cost, to render the manufacturing of flax by this process remunerative. It was sufficient, however, to call forth an interest in the question that led to many other experiments in different parts of the colony. It is now found that a mixture composed of wood ashes, soap suds, soda, or any other alkali substance easily procurable — a potash, for instance, which the settler in the bush can make for himself — will render it of a fine texture and color, combined with great strength. The dressing of flax is now largely carried on as an occupation in the north, especially Auckland, and it is stated to be with marked success.
It is a matter for surprise that a new industry should in a few months have sprung to a position of great commercial importance. Yet such is the case; scarcely a vessel for the last two months has left Auckland for Sydney, Melbourne, or England, that has not conveyed a considerable quantity of New Zealand dressed flax to a foreign market. How has this been accomplished? By the co-operation of capital with labor. An Association has been formed, and is in active operation, for the purchase of the dressed flax for exportation, and the encouragement of the new industry. There is also a Flax Hackle Benevolent Society that has had constructed a number of cheap Flax Hackling Machines which are supplied to flax bush settlers upon a system of deferred payment. The Government at Auckland gave large encouragement to the industrious to follow this new occupation, and the success that appears to have resulted from the adoption in this case of a thoroughly liberal policy on the part of both the Executive and the people, justifies the belief, if followed out in other Provinces, that in a few years flax will be one of the largest and most valued of New Zealand exports.
There are few districts in the colony that produce native flax superior, if equal, to that which grows in Southland. We have seen a sample of five tons, now being pressed at the store of Mr E. Buchanan, manufactured by Messrs Hay Brothers. It is a fine color, a regular fibre of great strength — being from six to seven feet long. This we understand is to be shipped to Melbourne for sale. It is admirably adapted for the making of rope, twine, flour sacks, &c, and estimated to be worth £35 per ton, aud we believe that should that estimate prove correct, it will leave a very handsome profit to the manufacturers. We have also inspected the novel machinery erected as an experiment by our enterprising ship-builder, Mr Thomsow. This gentleman's aim was to construct a machine that would be simple and cheap, moveable, and effective. He has succeeded. His machine consists of a windmill that can be moved from place to place by a team of bullocks that work a revolving drum with rows of vertical teeth. He uses no chemicals, the prepared flax we saw though inferior in color to that dressed by Messrs Hay Brothers, is a good marketable article, and we have no doubt will meet a ready sale in Melbourne. Flax-dressing is a branch of industrial enterprise that should be carefully and liberally cultivated. It would be much to the advantage of the Province if our commercial men and others would imitate those of Auckland, and combine to assist the industrious dresser to work in this new field for enterprise and capital. We think that if a Society could be established with a few hundred pounds devoted to the object of loaning cheap machines to the toilers that are willing to go into the flax bush, great good would result. The Governmennt has already evinced a desire to foster this new industry; and there can be little doubt that if within the four corners of the Land Act, they would lease flax land on very reasonable terms. We throw a hint believing that if acted upon, would be the means of finding profitable labor for thousands, and do much towards securing prosperity to the Province.