THE FLAX INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 265, 5 August 1919, Page 10

THE FLAX INDUSTRY

WORK AT THE AUCKLAND MILLS. By Telegraph -Press Association. Auckland, August 4. Conditions governing the flax industry are said to liavo remained -unaltered since tlio partial stoppage of work foi tho winter. The representative of _ a Jim prominently associated with the lndnstiy stated that both the British and American markets were dull, and that present prices for homp only allowed what might bo termed a "bread and butter" margin for millers in New Zealand. He was of i opinion that little improvement in prices was to be looked for in tho immediate future, as there wero large quantities of compotitivo fibres on the market. Exporters wero hoping for a reduction in freight charges for hemp and tow to provide millers" with a fair working margin. Referring to the startin.g of'work for the coming season in the Auckland district, an authority stated that 0110 or two of the local mills had not ceased working during the winter, and that others wero already making preparations to resume opera! ions. There was every indication that file mills this season would start earlier than usual, provided tho weather continued favourable, but ihero would not be much (lax in the field till next month. It was not likely the mills would remain closed owing to tho dull markets, lmt ono or two of them might dliange hnnds,