Manufactures and Industries Committee.

Manawatu Herald, 5 September 1893, Page 3

Manufactures and Industries Committee.

Jlr.noßT ox ti!k Flax Indhstky

Yoiir Committee to whom the above industry was referred for consideration have the honor to report that they have taken evidence upon the flax industry, and are of opinion that an expert grader should be appointed by Government lot: the purpose of protecting the interests of the producers. Such expert to be paid by the grading fees charged to the manufacturers, so that no expense will fall upon the Colony, notwithstanding the possible difficulty of getting the purchaser to take advantage of such a grade.

The Committee would strongly urge upon the Government the necessity of offering a bonus of £4000 for the encouragement of the industry to be distributed in the following manner.

I. A bonus of £3000 for a machine or process which will materially reduce the cost of production.

IE. A bonus of £500 . for a machine or process which materially increases the value of the dressed fibre.

111. A bonus of £500 for a mode of utilizing the waste products of the industry.

Your Committee further report that they append regulations drawn up by them as requested by the Hoiiße, which will require to be complied with before any bonus could be granted.

Such regulations are sufficiently stringent to ensure that before public money would be spent the industry mast be materially benefited by the expenditure. James G. Wii.sox, Chairman. September Ist, 18i):i. ]$ONIJ* FOR THK EnCOIIUAOKMKNT 01" TttK FIjAX IXDUSTISY. Mook ov Distribution and .Reou(.aTIUNS IN BkIjATION TO AIJOVK BONUS. A Bonus will be given 1. Of £8000 for a machine or process which will materially reduce the cost of production. 2. Of foOO for a machine or process which materially increases the value of dressed fibre.

8. Of £600 for a mode of utilizing the waste product of the industry.

Condctioxs is Relation to Hontsks 1 am. 2.

I. All applications for either of the bonuses must be sent addressed fco the Hon the Minister for Agriculture not later than 81st March. 1«94. aud each application must be accompanied by a description of the machine or process : setting forth the

particulars of improvement on pre sent machines or process, and also the cost at which the machine or process can be supplied.

11. The applicants must bo prepared to show their machines or process at such time and place as the Minister may direct.

111. Tho Government shall appoint a committee of three or more experts under whose instructions, and before whom all tests shall be made. Such committees may inspect the machines or processes at the place where the applicant desires to exhibit them, and having so inspected the whole of the machines or processes may direct that any machine may be brought to such place as they may select. The cost of bringing such machine, and all costs sneb latter trial to be defrayed by the Government.

IV. Twenty tons of green flax will be supplied to each machine or process to manufacture into dressed fibre, baled up ready for shipment.

Instructions to Committee.

On completion of the test the committee shall furnish a report to the Minister and shall state the following particulars of the fibre produced by each machine or process : —

1. The cost per ton of dressed fibre.

2. The quality of such fibre

8' The market value per ton.

4. The percentage of fibre in relation to the 20 tons of green flax supplied.

5. The cost of the machinery. 6. Simplicity and durability of working parts.

Such report shall also state —

1. Which machine or process is on the whole the most efficient and economic.

2. If any machine or process so materially reduces the cost of production that by its adoption the industry would benefit to such an extent that the Committee think the whole of the bonus of £3000 should be granted to the applicant (b) or any such portion of the bonus as the Committee may think the machine or process is worthy of

8. (a) That any particular process or machine materially increases he value of dressed fibre to such an extent as to be worthy of the whole of the bonus of £500, (b) or any such portion of the bonus as the Committee may think the machine or process is worthy of. 4. The Committeo may state wtotbtr in their opinion the bonus in tho oate of eithsr l or & should be divided between two or more machines or processes.

oiNnrnoNs for bomh no. fl. Sections 1, 2, 8 of conditions for bonuses 1 nnd 2 shall aho apply to bonus No. 3. IV. A sufficient number of tons of tho waste products ns the Committee may direct, shall be furnislipd f>r a trial, and the article manufactured from it. ixsTuncrroN to commfttkk. On the completion of tbo test the Committee shall furnish a report lo the Minister and shall state the following particulars of each process. 1. The nature of the article manufactured. 2. The cost of (he manufacture for such a quantity as may hn a guide in determining whether it is of economic vnlue. Such report shall also state : — 1. Whether any of the modes of utilizing the waste products is of sufficient value to the country to warrant the Minister to give (a) the whole, or (b) any part of the bonus. 2. In the case of only a part of the bonu3 being recommended, how much. ?5. If the whole bonus should be given to one mode, or divided between one or more ; and in each case to state the portion of the bonus so recommended.