THE HEMP INDUSTRY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3675, 6 August 1927, Page 2

THE HEMP INDUSTRY

INSTRUCTION NEEDED,

IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY.

Auckland, August 3. A suggestion that in order to improve the quality of New Zealand fibre a small Government flaxmill should be established at which flaxmillers could be given instruction, was made by Mr. W. Petrie, chief Government tlaxgrader, at the meeting of the Northern Flaxmillers’ Association to-day. Mr. Petrie stated that although flaxmillers had the longest leaf in Now Zealand to use their product was badly milled. He was endeavouring to persuade the Department of Agriculture to take steps to bring about a permanent improvement in the industry. No doubt good could be accomplished by appointing two instructors to tour the mills and show millers how to improve their methods, but to accomplish a really permanent improvement a Government flaxmill, at which men could .be retained as competent millers was needed. The benefit the industry would derive from an instructional mill would be inestimable. If the quality of New Zealand fibre could be improved £20,000 would be earned. It w r as decided to request the Government to appoint an instructor to arise millers how to secure results in treating fibre. FDAX CULTIVATION. Dr. Marsden (Director of Scientific Research) and Professor McLaurin (Government Analyst) paid a visit to flax areas at Miranui on Thursday to investigate the needs and possibilities of New Zealand’s only native industry. Accompanying the professors were Messrs P. W. Aitken (of the Otago University), Messrs Bernard Wjood (Christchurch), Alec Ross (Foxton), and Alfred and H. A. Seifert (Miranui). The party spent a most interesting two hours inspecting.-the growing flax, the nurseries, and the manufacturing processes from the handling of the green leaf to the finished hemp. Keen interest was aroused in the nurseries, where an impressive demonstration was given of the possibilities of flax culture. Established some five years ago, many different varieties of flax are to be seen here comprising probably the most varied collection to be found in New Zealand to-day. They are under close observation month by month, with constant tests. The visitors inspected with great interest the numerous varieties selected from both islands and many grown from seed.

The visitors showed keen sympathy with the problems of the millers, and demonstrated' that the Department of Scientific Research-was out to render all possible assistance.

Dr. Marsden stated that Mr. P. W. Aitken had been set aside for research work in the flax industry, and was devoting the whole of his time to laboratory investigation on its problems. He stated further that Dr. Barnett/a sou of Sir Louis Barnett, of Dunedin, was at present engaged in England studying the possibilities of hemp for the manufacture of textiles.

It was pointed out that one of the-most pressing problems was .a more efficient lethod of bleaching and drying. At present the hemp is weather-bleached and dried, and is therefore at the mercy of New Zealand’s very uncertain climate. The present method is most' expensive because of the high labour cost and the large areas of valuable land required for drying. The maintenance of roads and drying fences and the number of horses employed all add to the expense. What is required is a quick system of artificial bleaching and drying which would not only save expense, but would produce a more uniform and higher-grade article. The millers pointed out that experiments had been made with a number of processes, some of which gave great promise of success, and with the sympathetic assistance of scientific research great things were possibly. Dr. Marsden and Professor Maclaurin entered keenly into the discussion and showed a sound grasp of present needs as well as the fu-, ture possibilities. They intimated that Mr. Aitken’s immediate work would be concentration on. the chemistry of bleaching while he would also study generally 'the application of science to the treatment of fibre in all its branches.

The millers present expressed great gratification at the keen interest displayed and practical help promised by the scientists.