The Local Flaxmill

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 299, 16 May 1889, Page 2

The Local Flaxmill

The flaxmill to which we referred a abort time back is to be erected on a site near the Waihau Lakes, between Gisborne and Wairoa.

Mr H. P. Barber, who has returned to Auckland from the United States, states that ths secret of the rise in the price of New Zealand flax is a ’corner’ in sisal hemp grown in 'Mexico, The largest of the cordage Companies there have formed themselves into a •’ trust," and they cornered those who make binder twine. The latter combined and bau;ht up all the sisal available for the year, and then put np the price about double the usual rate. That made a wonderful difference to all those who used binder machines, and the result was that in some parts of the Western Ststes binder machines are not used at all. The farmers are using in their stead beaders 01 strippers. The .isal fibre is not so long ae that of New Zealand flax, but owing to the “ corner ” in sisal it could not be got at all when he wae in the State, j New Zealand flax was being used in its stead. As to whether the demand for flax will remain good for another year ia an open queetion. T The cordage Companies do not know having once used New Zealand flax as substitute tor sisal, they may not continue to do so They complain bitterly of the gaslit* of some of the New Zealand flax, umlbu ends that never should he sent, being included <0 the shipmeats.