N.Z. FLAX

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1928, Page 1

N.Z. FLAX

NEW TREATMENT, - COMPETITOR WITH JUTE. DUNEDIN, September 17. II experiments with New Zealand flax continue to be so successful as they are at present, it is probable that a valuable new industry will be established in the Domnion. This morning (says the “Star”) a reporter was shown a useful-looking grain sack of unusual strength which recently was made in Dunedin from locally-grown flax. It is claimed to ho tho first of'its kind made in New Zealand. This sack was produced by patented methods, and it is the outcome of extensive research wlich has had for its object the substitution of specially-treated phormium fibre for jute, thus establishing flax as the base material ifor, sacks, woolpncks, hessians, etc. Judging from the results so far obtained it would seem that the expenditure and trouble taken in tho matter have been amply justified. Hie ,ncw article is claimed to he superior in. every way to juto sacking, and since it is stated that the cost to farmers of the finished goods will not exceed that of the imported material, the value of this research to the Dominion can he readily imagined.

When discussing the matter with Mr Coghill, who has been conducting the experiments, tho reporter was informed that the processes employed also ap--plied to coir, for the production of sacking from this material, and that the wool packs so made were non-fray-ablo and quite free from the lon.se fibre trouble. The annual value of juto goods imported into this country was about £750,000. while Australia spent about £4,000,000 every year on tho same materials. Therefore it looked very evident that the monopoly of this trade so long enjoyed by India was about to be seriously challenged.