NEW ZEALAND FLAXMILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3985, 17 August 1929, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FLAXMILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Flax-millers’ Association was held - in the Racing Club Office, Foxton, on Thursday presided over by the -President (Mr. C. H. Speirs). Also present were: Messrs A. A. Brown (Waikanae), J. S. Moir (Shannon), A. 'Seifert (Palmerston N.), A. Fraser, W, Ross, G. Rough, A. E. Sutton, D. R. Ogilvy, 'and H. Berry. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. A. Speirs, Alfred Seifert, and F. W. Wilson. The President extended a welcome to the members and referred to the fact that the Association was now entering on its twenty-fifth year. There were many changes in the personnel of the Association and a number of familiar faces were now missing. It was pleasing, however, to see the younger membelrs taking an interest in the Association. “MOTION OF SYMPATHY. On the motion of the President motions of sympathy were passed to the relatives of Messrs W. Ross and Joseph Liggins. In referring to the death of the iate Mr. Wk. Ross, the President said that deceased was a pioneer in .the iflaxmilling industry and 'was well known and respected by both employers and employees alike. He had taken a (keen, interest in the welfare of the industry and just prior to his death Mr. (Speirs had been in conversation with deceased, when he was just as keen and interested in -the welfare of the Association as he had been in the prime of his life. The late Mr. Ross had been of a charitable and sympathetic disposition and his demise was greatly regfretted by the Association. With regard to the late Mr. Liggins, the president said that he had been a past-president of the Association and also a pioneer in the industry. It had been very pleasing, he said, to see the manner the employees had joined with the employers in a motion of sympathy to -the relatives of. deceased during a recent conference. PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT. The President (Mr. C. H. Speitrs) submitted the following report: — “Twelve months ago, your association had reached a deadlock with the Flaxmill Employees’ Union in an endeavour to readjust Avages and Avokking conditions. Your representatives had quite a number of fruitless conferences with Union representatives, -two of Avhich were presided ove(r by the then Prime Minister, -the Hon. J. G. Coates, .and one by Mr. Halley, Conciliation Commissioner. The dispute Avas finally referred to the Arbitration Court, Avhose decision Avas accepted as final. “Our Employees:—W;e have a splendid lot of employees in the flaxmilling industry in New Zealand and they will compare in every Avay [very favourably Avith the employees in any other industry. Your Association has no desire to reduce the earnings of these man; on the conti’ary, we belieye that their earnings Avould be considerably increased and there would be less unemployment if our proposals were adapted.

“Output of NeAV Zealand Hemp: —ln 1917, the output of N.Z. hemp Avas 30,809 tons. In 1927, the output of N.Z. hemp Avas 17,786 tons. In 1928, the output of N.Z. hemp Avas 11,720 tons.

“Prices: —Prices of New Zealand hemp for the past year have not been satisfactory and showed a decline on the previous year. “Rate for New Style of Cutting: —During the past year the Inspector of Lahouir called conferences of millers’ and employees’ representatives and finally, fixed the rate of cone shaped cutting at 10/3d per ton, and the rate for A shaped cutting at 11/6d peg ton and loading on to drays 1/- per ton.

“Phormium Research Committee of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: —Our representatives on this committee are Messlrs Alfred and H. A. Seifert, and their term Avill expire on the date of our annual meeting, Avhen they will report on the activities of that Department. Both Mr. Alfred Seifert and Mr. H. A. Seifert have intimated their willingness to again offer themselves for re-election. “Accident Insurance: —Since the first of January, 1929, the premium on -the employees’ accident insurance has been raised by the insurance companies from 45/- to 60/- per £IOO of Avages paid, which means that millers now have to pay £9 per year insurance for an employee receiving £3OO per year in wages.

“Charges for Electric Power: — Whilst wo have no complaints to make in regard to Power [Board charges in the Horowhenua District, I regret that the same cannot be said in regard to Wairarapa, Wlairoa, Tauranga and some of the northern districts. In these districts it costs the miller up to as much as £1 per ton more for electric power than in the Horowhenua district. This is proving a heavy burden to the millers and in some cases they are quite unable to meet the position. Representations on this matter have been made to various Ministers and to Mr. Kissel, with a view to bringing about some uniformity of charges and voltage, but, so far, without result. “Flax Cultivation: —Plant selee- ' • tion and cultivation has for some IC- ' yeatrs past been carried out by Frank Wall Esq., of Martinborough, with Mr. H. T. Greedy as manager. Recently, your president had the opportunity to inspect those

plantations and was much impressed Avith the fine selection of strong A'igorous plants and the systematic and efficient manner in Avhich the plantation is cultivated and managed. Mr. Alfred 'Seifert with his nursejr.v and plantations at Motuiti and Mr. B. B. W|ood with nursery and plantations at Makerua,

have also been engaged for some years in plant selection and have been equally successful. “Foreign Interest in our Industry: —Your Association is constantly receiA’ing requests from overseas planters, for their sons and managers to be instructed in the cultivation and manufacture of NeAV Zealand flax and hemp respectively. Thousands of pounds and years of labour have been expended by millers on this research Avork in NeAV Zealand. Already our flax is being cultivated -and manufactured by cheap labour in foreign countries, Avhich are competing Avith us in the malrkets of the Avorld. Are Ave, and is our Ncav Zealand

Government going to continue to alloav the export of our selected seeds and our selected flax roots from Nexv Zealand and thus give aAvay to our competitors the results of our researches? “Deputations to Ministers: —During the past year your Association has made important irecomimendations to Ministers of the ' Crown Avith a vieAV to safe-guarding our industry and Ave can only hope that our representations have not fallen on deaf ears. “Owing to the transfer of your Association’s headquarters to Foxton, -M)r. R, H. Spencer, avlio had acted as secretary for the past sixteen years, tendered -liis resignation. These duties were then carried out gratutiously by one of our members, Mr. D. Ogilvy, until recently, and I desire to take this opportunity to extend to him on behalf of the Association, our sincere thanks for the able and efficient manner in Avhich he has carried out those duties during a very difficult period. Mr. G. V. Fraser, of Foxton, has now been appointed secretary to your Association &nd has already taken up his duties.

“Deceased Members: —I regret to have to record the death of one of our oldest and most respected millers, and a past-President of this Association, in the person of Wm. Ross Esq., of Foxton. He was one of the pioneers of the industry and was well j known and respected from end to end of New Zealand and also, Nexv South Wales. He was for many years also engaged in the rope tAvine industry in different parts of NeAV Zealand and Australia |and continued an active member of our Association up to the date of his death. He Avas one of the most generous of employers and Avas noted for his generous and charitable disposition. It might justly be said he lived respected and died regretted. I also regret to have to record the passing of anxjjjier past-President and pioneer of the industry in the person of J. Liggins Esq., of Tokomaru. The. late Mr. Liggins was engaged in the flaxmilling industry at Tokomaru for many years and Avas respected by employers and employees alike. He retired from the industry a feAV years ago. At a conference shortly after his death, the Union Representative joined with us in extending sympathy and consolation vrith his AvidoAV and family. “In conclusion I Avish .to say that the past year has been a most difficult one, and in retiring from any position I desire to thank members for the co-operation, support and confidence they have accorded to me during my term.” ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President: Mr H. A. 'Seifert; vice-president: Mr D. R. Ogilvy; treasurer: Mr A. Fraser; commit- . tee: Messrs 10. H. Speirs, J. S. Moir, E. Sutton, H. Berry, G. Rough, W. F. Wilson, W. Ross, A. Seifert and A. A. BroAvn. Auditor: Mr R. A. Fuller (Palmerston N.). The secretary and treasurer Avere authorised to operate on the Association’s funds •> at the Bank and Post Office. Messrs A. and H. A. Seifert and B. B. Wood were elected the Association’s representatives on the Scientific Research Board. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received from Messrs Donehy, Ltd., Geelong, Australia, in reference to tail ends found in bales. —Received. The Department of Labour forAvarded a copy of the new rates for cutting on the “A” and cone methods. —Received. INSTRUCTOR’S REPORT. It Avas suggested that in future mill instructors’ reports be furnished to the millers. At present it Avas explained, milieu’s did not knoAV what tire report contained Avhen it Avas foir Avar ded to headquarters, and it was only fair that they should know Avhat the instructor thought of the mill plant, etc. It Avas decided to ask the Department to furnish a copy of the report folloAving on the instructor’s visit, and in doing so it Avas decided to point out that the Association in no Avay wished to cast any reflection on the work of the instructors. The millers merely desired to know Avhat defects there Avere at the mills. A letter was received from Mr E. Timms, of Otaurohanga, asking for a list of all millers in the district. —Decided to ask Mr Tmjms for further particulars before the information is supplied. Accounts amounting to £8 2/3 were passed for payment.