WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1927, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

THE FLAX INDUSTRY

(Special to “ Guardian.”)

WELLINGTON. January 22,

'1 lie conversion of Plioimium Tenax into a marketable fibre is one of the oldest industries in the Dominion, and it, is still a profitable one to (those who know how to mill the lent to produce high quality fibre. New Zealand hemp is believed to be much preferred to other fibres for the manufacture of hinder twine. The grading of fibre for export has long been responsible for

this work, and on the whole they have given satisfaction. Within the past eighteen months the grading has been improved, that is to say the graders have been fairly strict, and it is claimed bv a section, of the millers that the grading has been advanced 10 points. A conference was hold in Wellington of those interested on Friday, January gist. to consider the grading problem. This conference was due to the efforts of the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association. This body declares that the grading as at present carried out is distinctly unsatisfactory, and that during the [last six or seven years the standard has been hardened by ten points and it is declared •• that the

solution of the present very unsatisfactory state of tile lientp grading department lies in (lie control of I’liormium fibre and by-products being vested in a board comprising six members three to be elected by the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association, and one each by the hemp merchants, cordage manufacturers and the Department of Agriculture. The views of the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association as recorded above are not shared by other sections of the trade, and not even by all the flaxmillers. It is held by the opposing section that the grading system after passing through an unsatisfactory period—for a year or two was definitely placed upon a. sound basis about eighteen months ago, and is probably working hotter now than at any time in the history of the hemp industry in New Zealand. The proof of this lies in the fact that during the past twelve months buyers have expressed the opinion that the grading was now more uniform and therefore more satisfactory, and the demand for New Zealand hemp has consequently been more general and regular. Any effort to lower the present standard or grading should he resisted for the New Zealand product has to compete with the sisal which is produced by cheap labour. A miller who has had a very long experience of the hemp business on its manufacturing as well as its marketing side, pointed out that New Zealand hemp had two powerful competitors in Manila and sisal. He contends that quality is the main thing, a good uniform quality. This means that not onlv must the hanks of fibre in a hale lie of uniform quality and strength, hut the fibres also must bo of uniform length. When long and short fibres arc indiscriminately mixed in a bale it can he understood that gives trouble to the cordage manufacturer, and the value is depreciated. If a bale of wool were to contain all classes of wool the price of the hale would he affected. This expert thinks that there, must be great .slackness at some mills or the millers are not ns competent as i.hev were. Few millers grade the green leaf for length, and the stripping in many eases is badly done. If the stripping is bad the subsequent processes will not improve flic standard of the fibre. What is needed is not the lowering of the grade but an improvement in the technique. More knowledge is wanted, and to provide this it is suggested that the Government should establish an experimental mill [ plant, where those in need of instruc-l (ion caii spend a season or two study-

tug the various processes of producing good commercial hemp. At the moment the hemp market is dull owing to the fact Liiat American mnmifacturora arc temporarily out of the market owing to being flooded out with sisal which the producers have been unable to hold for lack of finance.