Throughout his long report, Williams refers to Phormium Tenax not as New Zealand flax (as many contemporary writers did) but as New Zealand hemp. William writes; "The hemp has always been called flax but is a hemp which is easily discovered by proper judges." Williams had been a rope maker all his life. No doubt he saw himself one of the "proper judges".
In New Zealand, William saw Phormium Tenax growing in vast abundance at Duck Bay he records "a large valley of the best hemp we had seen as regularly set out as if planted by the hands of man". At such places the great wealth of Phumiom Tenax that Williams observed convinced him that he could maufacture hemp on a very large scale.
He promised the British government; "to supply the colony with excellent cordage in a few months and on terms not exceeding the London market. At this time cordage is not to be had at any price in this colony." As for the Maori's, whose prime fibre crop he was planning to annexe. Williams had a role for them too. He had no doubt that he could collect tonnes of hemp from the natives.
Very well aware that substantial encouragement is being offered by the British government for processing hemp, Williams further offered:
"that the British market may be supplied with large cargoes of hemp and in three years the principle part of the British navy may be suppliued from this territory and New Zealand at a great saving from the average price of hemp from the north of Europe."
This proposal by Williams for the cultivation of native hemp in New Zealand and its manufacture into cordage was received with interest in London and had the support of the commisioner of enquiry, J. T. BIGGE. In 1821, a rope made by Williams from New Zealand hemp was tested in Chatham rope yard and showed great strength. In 1822 Williams made plans to go to New Zealand but trouble with his debtor, Samuel Levey, delayed him. (the debts were incurred when two boats were burnt by the Maori's). To help Williams depart, the colonial government made arrangements for Levey to be paid in cedar and land.
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