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9. That these publications, when printed, be distributed amongst flax-millers and others interested in the industry. 10. Your Committee find that hitherto the flax in many districts has been cut in a most reckless and destructive manner; and, in order to insure a continuous supply of the raw material, it is imperative that some care should be taken in the future. Flax-owners should therefore be strongly urged to give instructions to their cutters to cut in such a manner as to leave the heart of the flax-fans uninjured. 11. Your Committee are further of opinion that, in view of the evidence laid before them, it is very desirable that attention should be given to the planting and cultivation of the best varieties of flax, with a view to the production of fibre of superior quality. 12. That your Committee find that the market-price in London is prejudicially affected by the fact that the contents of a single bale, as well as the several bales of one consignment, often vary very widely; and they desire to draw the attention of flax-millers to the expediency of exercising care in this particular. 13. Your Committee wish it generally known, and therefore embody it in this report, that, from special inquiries made as to the liability of phormium fibre to fire when shipped damp or wet, they find conclusive evidence that it is not liable to spontaneous combustion, but that dampness merely has the effect of rotting or so seriously discolouring the fibre as to render it almost valueless on reaching the Home market. 14. Your Committee are of opinion that the above recommendations, if carried out, will result in the flax industry becoming one of very great importance to the colony. 26th August, 1890. Geo. Beetham, Chairman.

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