THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2023, 2 September 1919, Page 3

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

BIG INTERESTS IN JEOPARDY. In its report to the House of Representatives, the Industries Committee says: —In 44)1.1 there wore exported from this country 111 ire and tow va hied at £707,002, while in 11)18 the value of the flax exported was £1,298,872. Notwithstanding this increase in value, the millers Grid themselves in a position little short of parlous owing to the huge advance in freights, and they are of opinion that unless some more reasonable arrangement can be come to in this respect, the industry will he hi seriously hampered that a collapse may occur at any time. The industry affords employment to a large number of men, and this aspect must, in the opinion of the Committee, bo taken into serious consideration, The wasteful methods employed in -the production of fibre 49 years ago are still in existence. There has Icon practically no improvement in quality, while no less than 30 per cent, of the fibre is lost in the processes employed. Efforts must lie made not to improve llie quality of the fibre, but to eliminate waste, and The Conimitmittee recommend that a substantial bonus be again offered to inventors of improved machinery,

The Committee also recommend that an expert be appointed whose duty it will be to enquire into improved methods of production, the careful selection of flax plants, cross-fertilisation, hybridisation, planting and growth; and, further, to advise with and assist the.llaxmillers in all such directions as. will make for the improvement and sustenance of the industry. The treatment of flax refuse from ihe mills must also be taken in hand. There aro no less than eight tons of refuse from every iiine tons of green flax. Scientists have informed the Committee that the whole of this waste contains valuable constituents, such as commercial alcohol and potash, and it is recommended that a bonus he offered, payable on the production of a marketable com-