NEW ZEALAND FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 18 July 1907, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Important Matters Discussed.

A general meeting of the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association was held at Palmerston on Tuesr day. The president, Mr A, Seifert, occupied the chair. Correspondence was read from the Philadelphia Museum with regard to sending exhibits of the colony’s products to the Museum for exhibition purposes. The chairman was willing to give a bale which would pass the grader in the ordinary way. All grades should be sent, accompanied by a report and certificates. Mr Cohen thought the Association’s funds could be used in such an important matter as this, and he added that photos could be sent showing the industry iu all its phases. He moved that the executive be empowered to that extent.

Mr Bell seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Minister for Agriculture wrote forwarding a copy of proposed amend menti iu the regulations governing the grading and export of fibre. The amended regulations dealt with the definition of weights of bales and that the fibre in the fastening bands must be of a quality similar to the fibre in the bale. Provision will be. made in cases where owing to difficulty in transit of fibre to the grading stores of fibres in bales of the prescribed dimensions pockets may be substituted, these pockets to be made at the stores and branded there. A stipulation will be made that when any parcel of fibre submitted for grading contains fibre of a higher or lower grade than the average quality of the parcel, the bales containing such fibre must bear a distinctive mark and the grader’s attention be drawn to them. The method of allotting points for strength, colour, etc., will be amended, but the total points will remain the same. The minimum points for the different grades will be slightly reduced. The exportation of rejected fibre will be permitted, but power will be reserved for the graders to totally condemn any fibre which they consider useless for manufacture. A slight alteration will also be made in the method of charging for grading. The term “ New Zealand hemp ” to be substituted bv “ Phormium fibre.”

On the question of the appointment of an expert Mr Ross thought a man was required who knew the requirements of the manufacturers; they were the persons to be satisfied not the merchants.

The Association regretted that the Department could not see its way to grant the request for the use of tow ropes instead of fibre, providing the weight did not exceed the present deduction for tare.

It was further decided that the executive be requested to bring before the Minister for Agriculture the desirability of appointing as chief grader a man of scientific attainments and one who is well acquainted with the requirements of the manufacturers of fibre. A discussion took place upon the question of points. Mr Ross expressing the opinion that the Association should endeavour to be paid on points, and the opinion was also expressed that the manufacturers would prefer to buy on points. Mr Cohen considered the system very desirable, but thought it could not be brought into actual operation. The chairman agreed with Mr Ross, and thought that steps could be devised which would attain the object they desired. Eventually it was decided on the motion of Mr Grieg, seconded by the chairman, that this Association is strongly of opinion that if the Department for the present finds it impossible to have the maximum number ot graders’ points shown on the loose tags and certificates, the present grades should be divided into two or three sections so that the millers majr receive better value for the higher pointed fibre in each grade. The report of the executive dealing with several matters, was read by the acting secretary, Mr Cohen, and adopted. Messrs Hennessy and Grey were desired to obtain the books, papers, etc., of the Association from Mr 0. Austin, Foxton.

On the question of the taxation of flax land the chairman said they were in communication with the other flax associations in the colony with the idea of obtaining uniformity of action. Mr Hankins thought it ridiculous that the growth of the land should be taxed, and he was supported by other members of the Association.

Mr Cohen thought from correspondence in possession of the Association that there was good reason to hope for an amending bill in the direction the Association desired. He thought it was not intended by the designers of the Act that the provision would have the effect it had ; just as well to tax the wool growing upon sheep pasturing upon properties instead of the properties themselves. Mr Ross moved—“ That this Association views with great apprehension the position of flax lauds under the present land tax regulations, and that a strong deputation proceed at once to Wellington to interview the Minister and heads of departments with a view of obtaining relief and to take such steps as may appear necessary to obtain that end.” Mr Henuessy seconded the motion and thought the present intention would be one of the greatest bars to development of the industry

possible.—The motion was carried unanimously. 1 It was decided! to register the Association under the Unclassified Societies Act. ■' It was decided tp visit the State Farm on Friday, 26th inst. Routine business was transacted, and the meeting terminated.