THE HEMP INDUSTRY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3808, 21 June 1928, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY

RESEARCH BODY FORMED.

Wellington, June Hi. A phormium research committee has been formed by the Department of Scientilie and Industrial Research, ffaxmillers and flaxgrowers being represented on it, as well as the Research Department and the Department of Agriculture. The committee will consider ways and means of pursuing organised research into all phases of the (lax industry. This will involve the extension of chemical and botanical work which has already been promoled and facilitated by grants from the Research Department. The committee has under consideration the question of raising additional funds and arranging the extension of activities. It has received an interesting report from the Imperial Institute, where research upon various fibres lias been in progress for some time. A Belfast and Leeds manufacturing linn has succeeded in treating phormium fibre in a way which makes il suitable Cor spinning into yarn, which can be used for coarse sacking and similar materials. This was accomplished by a special soliciting process, followed by passing the fibre over specially designed breakers which dealt effectively with harsh, long fibres. The material was then spun in the manner which is generally adopted with hard fibre tow, the yarn being produced by a high-speed roving gill spinning frame. Tests have not; yet been made by the institute or by the manufacturing firm for using a mixture of phormium fibre with wool or cotton. The Research Department, however, is seeking information from the institute and from elsewhere overseas as to other mentis of the commercial utilisation of flax fibre.