PAPER FROM FLAX PRODUCTS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2182, 28 September 1920, Page 2

PAPER FROM FLAX PRODUCTS

IMP(IRTANT CONKERENCE AT PALMERSTON. About twelve years ago we got into communication with the representative of a large English ]iaper manufacturing lirm, and asked whether it would be possible for the company to establish a factory for the production of paper from the waste product of the (laxmiils, experiments with which had proved its suitability for such purpose. The representative agreed on the latter point, but said that, owing to the industrial conditions in (bis country then obtaining, the cost of local production, in bis opinion, would be more costly to the consumer limn the imported article. He compared the low wages paid in the English-own-ed Swedish mills with what would obtain locally. Much water Ims passed under the bridge since ihat interview, and the manufacture of paper has been restricted, the present demand far exceeds the supply, while the price Ims increased enormously. The Elaxmiller--’ Association has. during the past few month*, given the subject serious consideration, and to-day. at Balmeislon, they will confer with Mr Dolamore, general manager of the New Zealand Caper Mills, Ltd. In a recent communication upon this question Mr Dolamoro referred to experiments now in progress by his company’s experts, and said that if they succeeded there was no telling what it would mean to the flax industry. We may mention that 2,000 ions (if stripper-slips alone annually go to waste in the mills in this district, which it is hoped in the future may be put to profitable use. The newspapers throughout the Dominion use ‘25,000 tons of new* per annum, and if only portion of this could he produced locally it would be a benefit not only to those directly interested, but to the Dominion as a. whole.