N.Z. LINEN FLAX

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 127, 1 June 1942, Page 3

N.Z. LINEN FLAX

HIGH PRAISE IN BRITAIN New Zealand linen flax is being used bv a Dundee firm to weave canvas and to spin yarn lor the manufacture o: hosepipes for the Admiralty. The processes which the New Zealand product undergoes before it becomes canvas or piping were seen by the High Commissioner. Mr. W. J. Jordan, when he went to Dundee. High praise of the Dominion's linen flax was expressed to the High Commissioner by Mr. T. H. McLaren, a member ol the Flax Control. "The packing is excellent, and considering it is a new industry in the Dominion, the handling is surprisingly good." he said. "Judging from the small quantities so far received, the spinners have expressed the opinion that the grading of the dew-retted flaxes has been good, but consider the grading of the water-retted flaxes on the hiph side." The New Zealand liner flax is also used for making tarpaulins and sewing twines for the Merchant Navy as well as for shoe threads and sewing threads. The High Commissioner was informed that phormium tenax had proved to be too rouszh and hard for spinning into normal sewing twine and yarns for weaving purposes. The only possible use to which it might be put would be for the manufacture of the heaviest fabrics, such as course sackings. It was regarded as being especially suitable for upes.