FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1858, 30 July 1918, Page 2

FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association was held at the office of the secretary (Mr R. 11. Spencer), Pal- . merston N.. last week. Air R. T. 801 l presided over a good attendance *of millers. ANNUAL REPORT. The report of the executive for the past year was as follows; — Strong representations were made to the Efficiency Board as to reasons why the hemp industry should be classed as “essential.” The Imperial Government fixed the maximum price of hemp during the. year, and representatives of your Association attended a conference with the Prime Minister on 13th September last in this connection. A large number of millers from all over the Dominion attended, and while there elected Messrs A. Seifert, A. .1. Toogood, F. M. Burke, and C. A. Loug'hnan to represent them, and the merchants were represented by Messrs Mahin. Wood and Shirtclit'lV. There was some doubt as to whether the price fixed by the Government was less war risk and London buyers’ commission, and when this matter was ventilated later the Government increased' the price by £1 per ton. Your Association has been in touch for some time past with the Department of Agriculture in connection with the standard dimensions of hemp hulos, and certain millers are now, or have recently, put up sample bales of hemp equal to the size of Manila hales, with a view to ascertaining what advantages thereby are likely to accrue to the industry if this smjill size were generally adopted. Your executive have had the matter of the increase in freights in hand, but were unable to get much satisfaction from the shipping companies. Professor Cockayne, sen., was engaged in investigating flax root disease, and a report has now been prepared by him, which can be seen at Messrs A. and L. Seifert’s office. The General Manager of Railways and the Minister of Agriculture were written to in connection with fires caused by sparks from, engines, and sympathetic' replies were received. We believe our representations had a good effect. Mr Brown will move at the annual general meeting; “That the Northern Flaxmillers’ Association and similar Associations in other districts he invited to affili-' ate with this Associaton.” Wc regret to have, to report: that the president, Mr A. Seifert, has been compelled to go on a health-recruiting trip to Australia. He has promised to watch the interests of the industry there, and pass on any useful knowledge he may gain by his visit. ELECTION OE OFFICERS. Officers fori the ensuing year were elected os follows : President, Mr H. Berry; vice-president, Mr G. Craw; \ Iren surer, Mr H. Akers; committee, Messrs A. Sailorly E. .). Nash, H. Seifert, R. T. Bell, IV. Ross, J, Liggius, IV. Nye, A. Ross, arul L. Seifert. OTHER BPS IN ESS. If was decoded to have copies of Dr. Cockayne’s report on his investigations regarding (he (lax disease, forwarded to all millers. A. vole of sympathy wilii (he retiring president, Mr A. Seifert, in his indisposition, was carried unanimously. Messrs IV. Ross, S. Biggins, R. T. Bell, and A. Ross were. l appointed (o attend a conference of millers and incrc-hanls to he held at Wellington on Tuesday next to consider (lie size of bales. The Colin wing resolulion was carried : “Thai I his mealing of llaxmiljers is strongly of the opinion that the Government should ai once push on with Ihe Mangahao electrical, scheme so (hat all industries within (he vicinity shall he in a better position (o successfully compete in the world’s markeds afler the war.'-’ The secretary was instructed In write to (he secretary of (he Returnee! Soldiers’ Associalion, asking him to forward (he mimes of anv returned soldiers waiting employment, and stating that suitable work will, if possible, he found for them at the mills.