JAPANESE COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2436, 15 April 1915, Page 3

JAPANESE COMMISSION

A TOUR OF THE FLAXMILLS. The .Japanese Commissioners left Wellington yesterday by the New Plymouth express on a ; tour "of the fiaxinills in Manawatu and Horoivhenua.: The Commissioners were accompanied, by; Mr. F S. Pope) Secretary of the Agricultural Department, and. Mr. W. H. Ferris, Chief Hemp Grader.' At Shannon they were met by Mr. H. Seiferc, president of the New Zealand Flax Millers' Association, and most of the principal millers of the district. First of all, the party visited the -large Whitanui mill, where they saw the process of cutting flax in the field, and many other interesting features in connection with the flax industry. On returning to the mill lunch was served in the men's diningroom, and in a few felicitous words Mr. Seifert welcomed the delegates and visitors. Mr. Pope acknowledged the compliment, and assured them that the Commissioners greatly appreciated the kindnesses they had'received, and what they-had seen. Subsequently the Commissioners and party were shown the whole process of the extraction of the fibre from the leaf. From Shannon the party were motored to, Foxton. Here they were shown through Ross's rope works, whore the manufacture of rope and twine is carried oh on a large scale. Afterwards a visit was paid to Bock's mill, and the visitors were shown the principles of Suttie and Wynyard's scutcher, a new : invention in connection with which the Government recently paid a bonus of £760 to the inventors on condition that they reduced the royalty payable by millers from 3s. .6d. per ton to 2s.'a ton. The party motored back to Shannon, where tney entrained for Wellington. Dr. Miura, leader of the Commissioners, expressed himself as delighted with the day's outing, which, lie said, was of much value, to them. Mr. Nishida, one of the Commissioners, did not return with the party, departing for llotorua and Auckland. At the request of the Commissioners Mr. Pope will accompany them to-morrow on their tour of the South Island.