The Flax Industry.

Manawatu Herald, 25 October 1904, Page 2

The Flax Industry.

MEETING OF SOUTHERN MILLERS.’ At a meeting oi the Flaxinillera’ Association on Saturday, tfie demands of the Acclimatisation Society re the pollution of streams and the alleged poisoning of trout, Was discussed, and it was resolved to defend a test case if one were brought by the Society. Men from Canterbury denied that the mill refuse injured trout. One said they swarmed about a bole in which water and gum from his mill were discharged. On the question of grading, a member just returned frojn America said the spinners there not satisfied wiih the flax as they received it They wanted it ready to put through ma6hitfes, :r but; not fine. Tbe3r preferred ifr&lpß* if it were free from knots, andllumP ß * So dissatisfied were the Yftnliees >that they said that where Manila was available, they wouJd use it ? inj preference to New Zealand:fibre.>: Another speaker faid Jii| experience at Home was-the' same. He had every respect for the Chief Grader, but there was no .use sotting, up ideals. What was wanted was asystem of grading for uses to which the fibre would be put. He also had bean told at Home that they did not want fine fibre, but wanted it so that they could use it right away without further dressing* It was resolved : “ That the attention of the Government be drawn to the opinions of. competentimillowners and spinners, that: the standards of grading were notm'ibceping with the necessities of sbe ;l[ome manufacturers for whomare catering; also that the time is opportune to obtain expert opinion as to whether the standards fall Short of what the trade wants.”