THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 393, 24 March 1908, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Improvements in Dressing.

A deputation consisting of Messrs Toogood and W. C. Buchanan, introduced by Mr Hogg, M.P., waited on the Hon. R. McNab, Minister for Agriculture recently, in reference to the flax industry. It was explained that the late Mr Toogood, of Featherston, had spent ten years of his life and a good deal of money in endeavouringffo improve the plant of flaxdressing. He had succeeded so far that the Government recognised his efforts*by granting him a bonus of and at another time This, however, represented bid a small portion of the cost of the experiments he had conducted. At the time of his death a few years ago he had explained his process to the commission that was set up to deal with applicants for the offer made by the Government, but the machinery was not peifected. His experiments were intended, by the simultaneous use ol the stripper, and water power, to thoroughly separate the while fibre from the green leaf, so that paddocking and bleaching would be unnecessary. That this was possible Mr Toogood demonstrated by producing fibroin four hours that would otherwise have required a fortnight to manufacture.

The deputation submitted that if the process could only be made thoroughly practicable the cost of production would be reduced by at least £5 per ton, and this would have manifestly a good effect on a most important industry which was now languishing. Mr Toogood said that with bis brothers he was interested in the flax industry. They wished for no benefit for themselves, but suggested that the Goverment should do something to bring the experiments which bad been made to a successful issue. The Minister stated that a large number of methods of improving the system of flax dressing bad been brought under bis attention, and he could not render assistance in any special case. He would, however, give the representations that had been made bis earnest consideration, and communicate the result to the members of the deputation.