NEW ZEALAND FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3851, 29 September 1928, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association was held in the Racing Club office on Thursday afternoon, presided over by Mr. C. Speirs (president). Also present were Messrs J. S. Moir, W. H. Wilson, H. Seifert, W. Nye snr., G. Rough, A. A. Brown, W. Speirs, E. Sutton, D. R. Ogilvy A. Fraser. Gillespie, H. A. Seifert, H. Berry, and McDonald. WIAGES FOR AUTOMATIC SCUTCHING EMPLOYEES. The president reported on the Arbitration Court’s decision in connection with the interpretation of the Award for employees engaged on automatic scutchers. As a result of the decision the president communicated with Mr. P. T. IRobinson, secretary of the Manawatu Flaxmill Employees’ Union, suggesting a conference of three delegates from the Union and Association to be held in Palmerston North on Saturday next, aj 10 a.m. Up to the date of the meeting no reply had been received from the Union but the following delegates were appointed to represent the Association: Messrs 11. A. Seifert, C. H. Speirs, and E. Sutton. AMENDING THE AWARD. A letter was received from the District Inspector of Factories asking what steps were being taken to have an amendment in the Award made consequent upon the decision of the conference to accept a 10 per cent, reduction in wages. It was decided to leave the matter of engaging counsel to represent the Association in connection with the matter when it comes before the Arbitration Court, to the delegates elected to meet the Union representative at the automatic scutching conference. NEW METHOD OF CUTTING. A letter was received from Miranui Ltd., enclosing copy, of a letter forwarded the Union in reference to a proposal to cut flax for experimental purposes on the “A” style at Miranui? The method of cutting on the “A” style had been operating at Maryborough for the past twelve months quite successfully. The idea was to cut the flax on an angle leaving the apex of the “A” higher than the base and thus leaving the suckers undamaged. It might bend over for a day or so but in a short while it stood up all right. Mr. H. A. Seifert said that Miranui Ltd., desired to experiment on the lines outlined above, and it was hoped that by adopting such a method of cutting the green blade could be cut every three years instead of four. The extra cost of cutting involved, it was hoped would, by the reduction of one year in general cutting of the swamp be a payable proposition. The secretary of the Australian and New Zealand Investments Co. Ltd., wrote enclosing a copy of a newspaper clipping relative to flax growing and production (previously published in the (< Herald”). The letter was received. COGHTLL SACKS AND WtOOL PACKS. Air. H. A. Seifert submitted Mr. Coghill’s samples of sacking and wool pack material forwarded him, which had been manufactured from New Zealand tow in Dunedin. Mr. Seifert said that the material was the first soft textile he had seen manufactured from New Zealand tow. It was better than jute and much stronger. The president was of opinion that a company promoted to manufacture these materials would receive every consideration from the Government. Considerable interest was evinced in the samples by the millers present, and it was considered that the millers generally would support a scheme to market the material in any wav possible. ■