FLAXMILLERS ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, 24 September 1904, Page 3

FLAXMILLERS ASSOCIATION.

CONFERENCE OF MILLERS AT WHYTE’S HOTEL. A meeting convened in connection with the Flaxrnillers’ Association was held at ii a.m. yesterday morning at Whyte’s Hotel, and was attended by a large number of millers from hoxton, Shannon, Kcrern, and elsewhere. A contingent of millers were expected to come via Palmerston North, but owing to some confusion in the railway arrangements they were unable to be present. Our reporter was refused admittance to the meeting, hut through the courtesy of one ot those present we are able to publish an account oi the proceedings. Mr O. Gardner was in the chair.

Vi was proposed by Mr O. Gardner, and seconded by Mr H. Austin, That the member for the district be requested to ask the Minister for Agriculture for a statement of the amount received by the Government for hemp grading during the last two years, and of the actual cost of grading during that period. The motion was carried. Mr Simpson proposed, That in the appointment of every subsequent grader, the name of the proposed grader be submitted to the Flaxmillers’ Association and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce for their consent. This was seconded and carried. Mr Gardner then proposed, and Mr Pascal seconded, That the next meeting of millers be held in Palmerston North. Carried. It was moved by Mr Pascal, seconded by Mr Gardner, That the secretary forward a circular to millers, flax land owners, and buyers asking for a subscription towards a'prixe to be offered for the best dressed bale of hemp to be exhibited at the Manawatu A. and P. Association, and also that he communicate with the secretary of the above Association as to whether a competition could be held this year The motion was, however, negatived. Proposed by Mr Symons, seconded by Mr Thompson, That the Secretary be instructed to find nut the manner in which the charges on hemp at the port arc made up, and by whom they are charged. Carried. A motion by Mr Pascal that a committee of flaxmillers be appointed to go into the question of grading generally, and report to the Association, was seconded by Mr Hamer and carried. Messrs Simpson, Austin, Symons, Smith, Pascal, and Seifert were then elected as a committee for the purpose. A motion that the millers form a registered Associ. .ion i nfer the Unclassified Socities Act, was lost. Mr Austin proposed that Mr Simpson should be the Chairman of the Association in lieu of Mr Gardner, who through stress of business, had been forced to hand in his resignation. Seconded by Mr Pascal and carried. Some discussion then took place as to when the Association should assemble,.and finally it was decided on the motion of Mr Gardner, seconded by Mr Austin. That the calling of meetings be left to the Chairman and Secretary, but that meetings be held at intervals of not more than three months. The conference then terminated at 3p.ra.