FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 431, 1 September 1908, Page 4

FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Mr Fulton’s Address.

Mr C. J. Fultou, Chief Government Fibre Expert, delivered an address to the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association at Palmerston on Friday. The President, Mr H. Greig, occupied the chair, and there was a fair number of millers present. The President said it was proposed to hold an exhibition in Wellington at some future date, but nothing definite had beeu arranged. Mr Brown moved, that in view of the low prices and probable stagnation of the industry, it would be advisable to postpone discussion of the matter for six months. Mr Tennant seconded.

Mr Liggius hoped that the exhibition would not be forgotten. It would not cost the Association much, and if they could bring together the numerous inventions they might obtain some machine to revolutionise the industry.

Mr Greig said that the matter would not be forgotten, only postponed for the present. The motion was carried.

MrC. J. Fulton said that he had milled ou St. Helena island for a mouth, and then went to London, where he found that the first parcel from the mill had topped the market —£$ in advance of New Zealand. He visited all shippers and merchants, and was told that New Zealand was aiming at too high a standard, but he found that only one of 25 manufacturers was satisfied with “fair” quality. The others were unanimous in wanting “good fair ” or better, and they wanted the quantity. All of these manufacturers took New Zealand “ fair ” readily, when other fibre was higher in price, and most of the larger factories had machinery for dealing with the flax. It had been freely stated that New Zealand fibre was of no use except for binder twine, but he found it was largely used in rope-making, especially in Scotland and Holland. In America it was more used as binder twine, their needs there were enormous. During the past eight or nine years much ot our fibre has gone to America, and much of it was poor quality, and they would have to mend their ways there and elsewhere. In America manufacturers had been hanging off from New Zealand, and were disgusted. They wanted to know about the royalty, and couldn’t understand why the prices weren’t reduced as elsewhere. Another point was that in America every bale had a tag attached bearing the name of the miller and the length per lb of the fibre. An American manufacturer had told him that he would take the whole of New Zealand’s production at “ good fair,” but he was not going alone, and must have the same price as was current for Manila. The fact that New Zealand had no sliding grade was an advantage they had over Manila. In regard to grading, New Zealand could be depended upon throughout, and there was no other fibre in the world graded up to the same reliability, and merchants were even buying on grading points. New Zealand hemp is now too coarse and cranky for finer uses, but at the Dundee exhibition he saw an exhibit in which New r Zealand hemp was used in the manufacture of table cloths, sheeting, ladies’ dress material, ropes, canvas, and many other articles. One factory in Germany which up to seven years ago never used New Zealand fibre, used over 3000 tons during the past three years. They had many competitors to fight, and now that the New Zealand fibre was in good favour, should do all they could to improve the position. There would be further competition from Kentucky later, as there was strong flax there that could be grown extensively, and it only wanted a machine to clean it adequately.

The manufacturers he met had agreed on the following suggestions to millers:—(x) Reduction in average size of hanks ; (2) uniform length in hanks ; (3) production of good colour ; (4) evenness in colour in baling, so that all one colour should be found throughout bales ; (5) reduction and uniformity in size of bales and dumps ; (6) use of wire fastening for bales and dumps to be discontinued ; (7) disuse of tow ropes in baling fibre ; (8) flooded and badly silted fibre not to be exported, and any but particularly well “ re-conditioned” should be rejected ; (9) no two bales with separate millers’ brands to be allowed in the same dump ; (10) graders’ certificates to be of different colours; (ix) separate certificate to be issued for each parcel graded showing points allotted and with no more space than required for one parcel; (12) shipping ‘ companies to be compelled to deliver according to millers’ brand numbers and grade marks.

He made enquiries as to the extent of the use of New Zealand tow, and a manufacturer told him that he would use it extensively if the quality was reliable. In his factory alone he had as high as forty per cent, of waste, and considered he had been robbed. When Mr Fulton explained that the grading of tow would be undertaken in New Zealand shortly, he had been assured all round that if this were done the market could be extended. Tow was largely used for cheap rope, lashing, cordage, ships’ nets/ slings, etc., and for these purposes alone they could take all New Zealand could supply at good prices, It was only a matter of ensuring good quality. As to the amount of waste in New Zealand tow, the least percentage was 25

per cent., and it ranged as high as 40 per cent. Quite recently a bale had been opened up in the Harbour Board store at Wellington, which contained undoubtedly fine tow, but dust could be scooped up by the armful in it. Upholsterers had now given up the use ot tow owing to dust, and used coir (cocoanut fibre) instead. Regarding tow, manufacturers recommended that bales should be (1) branded and numbered same as for fibre, (2) free from all dust and rubbish, (3) wire fastening be discontinued, (4) size of bales reduced, (5) more neatness in baling, (6) uniformity in size of bales. Machines in the different factories he visited varied. While one machine would handle one class of fibre successfully, another and perhaps rougher fibre would be more successfully worked by another class of machine. •

Though the industry had had a set back, millers in New Zealand could be proud of prices obtained, as fibre was down all over the world. If the millers kept to it and produced good quality they would always be ou top. Replying to Mr Gardner, Mr Fulton said that New Zealand hemp was used for adulterating or mixing with the , higher grades of Manila hemp, but could not be so used in the lower grade article, because New Zealand hemp is quoted higher than Manila. Mr Burke asked why manufacturers objected to the use of tow rope for binding ? Mr Fulton replied that the Manufacturers purchased hemp and therefore expected to get hemp. Mr Greig asked whether the Government could arrange for the instructors to visit the various mills ?

Mr Fulton said that this might be arranged later, but as far as Mr Greig was concerned, it was unnecessary. The best parcel of flax he had come across in England was from Mr Creig’s mill, and if all the flax sent out was as good as that, it would easily top the market.

Mr Liggius proposed, and Mr O. Gardner seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Fulton for his able address. The vote was carried with acclamation, and the meeting closed.