N.Z. FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4507, 20 September 1930, Page 2

N.Z. FLAXMILLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

ANNIJA L MEETING

Business was transacted at the annual meeting of the N.Z. Flaxmillers’ Association which met in the Racing Chili office on Thursday as follows: REPORTS AND BALANCESHEETS. The reports and balance-sheet (previously published) were read. THE AVERAGE PRICE. Mr. 'CL FI. tS'peirs referred to the average prices for flax products quoted in the annual report which, he said, were somewhat misleading. High fair had been quoted as hawing averaged £37 10/- per ton and low fair £25 per ton. In his opinion the figures were much below those quoted. The president said the figures embodied in the report had been supplied by the merchants and were for the year ending March 31st, 1930. The Association’s report was for the year ending June 30th, 1930 and during the three months which elapsed between March 31st and .June'3oth a big drop was experienced in prices. Mr. Speirs was of the opinion that; the figures should be amended as they did not disclose the correct position over the whole year. Mr. D. R. Ogilvv quoted the figures for each month during the year which showed that the average was far below that quoted. Everyone knew what the position was to-dav. Tt was impossible to sell hemp but he hoped that a sale would take place at £2O. Mr. A. Seifert said that averaging the prices right throughout- the year the figures showed flax products down to pre-war prices. The average would he about £l7 per ton. The president said it was rather astonishing to find the output up a little in the circumstances. The reports and balance-sheet were adopted without further discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President: Mr. D. R- Ogilvy; vice-president: Mr. J. S. Moir; treasurer: Mr. A. Fraser; committee: Messrs Geo. Rough, A. Seifert, C. El. Speirs, H. Seifert. E. Sutton, W. F. Wilson, fl. Berry, \Y. A. Speirs and H. A. Seifert; auditor: E. B. Jennings. Representatives to the Scientific Research Committee: Messrs A. and IT. A. Seifert and B. B. Wood.

In vacating the chair, Mr. H. A. Seifert tbaulked members for their

co-operation during his term in (llfece and particularly Mr. D. R. Ogilvv who. he said, had carried eut practically the whole of the luilk of the work. RESIGNATION. Mr. A. A. Brown, of Waikanae, wrote tendering his resignation from the Association as he had gone out of the industry. Mr. A. Seifert, referred to thirty years’ association with Mr. Brown on hemp matters. He very much regretted that Mr. Brown had given u]) milling. It was decided to accept Mr. Brown’s resignation with regret. BONUS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO MACHINERY.

Mr. H. A. Seifert referred to the bonus offered bv the N.Z. Government for any improvements to llax dressing machinery, and said that the conditions laid down in that connection -appeared to be hopeless. The Krupps manufacturing company had been interested in tin* matter until the conditions had become known to them. Mr. A. Seifert : The conditions are far from satisfactory.

Mr. A. Fraser: They are unworkable. Air. H. A. Seifert also commented on the fact that the Association had never been consulted on the matter when the conditions were being drawn up. Mr. IT. Seifert expressed the opinion I hat. the present conditions would never assist the industry in any way.

Further discussion ensued hut it was finally decided on the motion ol Messrs H. Seifert and A. Fraser than the N.Z. Flax millers' Association express its disappointment at the terms on which the bongs is payable as it felt sure that inventors would lie discouraged from attempting to gain the bonus. That this Association therefore asks the Department to meef the committee set up by the N.Z. Flnxmillers' Association and other interested parties to discuss the matter with them with a view to improving the conditions as the Association was nqver consulted on the.matter previously when the conditions of the bonus were decided o,n. The matter of arranging details in the event of the request being! acceded to was left in the hands of the president. PROTECTIVE DUTY ON COMPETITIVE FIBRES.

The Northern Flaxmillers’ Association sought the eo-operation of the Association in a protest to the Government against the importation of competitive fibres iuto N.Z. and in a request for a protective duty on same.

The Northern body pointed out that Sisal and Manilla were serious competitors to the N.Z. produels and it would be very beneficial to the N.Z. articles if the duty, on the foreign products was increased. Sisal and Manilla was used mainly for the manufacture of twine, rope and lashings which could be made equally as well with the N.Z. article. The arguments advanced in favour of request were (1) increase in 'Customs Revenue; (2) keeping the money in

the country; (3) increase in the demand for the N.Z. article. ■

The chairman said that quite a lot of outside fibre was being imported into N.Z. at present.

Air. A. Seifert said that an increase in the duty would only be in Ikeeping with the rest of the world to-dav. Mr. H. A. Seifert said that the foreign article was much sought after by plaster-board manufacturers. They were prepared to pay several pounds more per ton for the imported article. The position was that the N.Z. mills were not producing no article suitable to that trade.

The chairman pointed out that although Java had sent a considerable amount of fibre into New Zealand it had also imported more from New Zealand in the wav of dairy produce, etc. The trade was reciprocal and really to the benefit of New Zealand. The letter was reeieved. INCREASE IN INSURANCE

A letter was received from the New Zeala ml Employers'* Federation Compensation Amendment Bill which contains a clause for increasing insurance premiums by fifty per cent. The chairman said the llax industry could not stand such an increase. The matter of formulating a protest was left in the hands of the president and secretary. HEMP CONTROL BOARD.

The Northern Millers’ Association, wrote suggesting that a Hemp Control Board the set up in connection with the industry. The matter was discussed but the Association decided to take no ( action in the matter and the letter was received. SUBSIDISING THE INDUSTRY.

The chairman detailed the steps taken by the-, committee recently set up to approach the Government for a subsidy in connection with the industry. Together with Messrs Greig and B. B .Wbod, he said he had prepared the necessary evidence and waited on the various Departments and Ministers relative to the matter. The deputation had received a sympathetic hearing but he did not think much headway could be .made until the committee set up by Parliament to go into the matter was able to meet. That would not be until the end of the session and even then not until after the committee had deliberated ou the matter. In his opinion it would be at least two months before they could hope for any action. Those before whom the deputation had placed their views had expressed the opinion that their request was reasonable and fair but the Government had refused to allow the Department of Commerce and Industries to act in the matter pending the sitting of the committee.

A general discussion ensued aftor which the thanks of the Association was accorded the committee for its activities on behalf of the industry as a whole. GENERAL. Accounts amounting to £2l 1/5 were passed for payment.