THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4511, 30 September 1930, Page 3

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

STATE ASSISTANCE RE

COMMEND ED.

BY UNEAH’LOYMEN'T INQUIRY

COMMITTEE,

iState assistance to the flax industry for a limited period is iecommended by the Parliamentary Unemployment Inquiry Committee in a further interim report it presented to tlie House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. In pointing out that there is a world malted for good quality fibre, tincommittee urges the Government to compel an improvement in the quality of flax grown and manufactured in the Dominion. It expresses the view that the industry can possibly be restored so as to provide permanent work for at least 1500 men.

The chairman of the committee, Mr. J. T. Hogan (Rangitikei) reported that since the .presentation of its last interim report the committee had held four meetings, and had inquired into the’ question of promoting or assisting certain secondary industries from the point of view of assisting immediately in the relief of unemployment. “The committee is of opinion,” it was stated, “that both from the point, of view of unemployment and from the natiohal standpoint, the, ilax industry should receive the im.'mediate consideration of the Government.”

CONFERENCE suggestions. Valuable information in relation to the flax industry was reported to have been received by the committee, which had passed the following resolution: — “That the committee recommend the Government to compel an improvemeitt in the quality of flax, grown and manufactured in New Zealand, and to encourage an increase in the quality produced, as it is apparent that.there is a world market for good quality fibre. The committee is of opinion tfiat tlie Government should consider the advisabililv of granting a subsidy on the production of best-quality fibre for a limited period, as a. means to securing the end in view. “The ’ committee recommends that a conference of Government representatives, mill-owners, flaxland owners, and employees in the industry be called by the Government for the purpose of considering (a) reduction ir costs by in s creased efficiency; (b) the vital necessity for improvement to the quality and grade of the fibre produced; and (c) the establishment of a State flax-mill for training purposes, or, alternatively, the appointment of additional instructors for .the purpose of educating those engaged in the industry in the best methods to be employed.”

The opinion was expressed by the committee that it was quite possible that the flax industry could be so restored as to employ almost permanently at least 1500 men.

USE OF NEW ZEALAND GOODS.

The committee had also inquired into the extent, to which New Zealand products had been, and could be, used bv State departments in preference to goods of foreign manufacture, and had passed the following resolution: — “That in view of the fact that the Stores Control Board is the largest purchaser in New Zealand, the •omrnittee recommend that Afinisters in charge of all departments instruct their respective departments • instruct their respective parturients when supplying specifications of goods required, to stipulate that the articles shall be New Zealand made, conditionally mi their being of sufficiently good quality and reasonable price. The term ‘reasonable price’ should be interpreted as a fair and reasonable price, having regard to the cost of production in New Zealand by established and efficiently administered local industries.”

The report was laid on the table,

FLAN FOR IJNEN,

POSSIBLE NEW INDUSTRY

Heed has been taken of the advice of Viscount Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, that New Zealand should cultivate the growing of . flax for linen production, according to a statement by the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. E. A. Ransom, in the House, of Representatives yesterday when explaining the main provisions of the Land Laws . Amendment Bill. Mr. Ransom said it was believed that greater efforts could be made in producing flax for the manufacture of high-grade linen, also in the direction of cultivating the tung- oil plant on hilly lands in the gum districts.

A: rilau.se in the Bill provides that areas of inferior Crown lands may be disposed of without competition or by public auction to companies engaged in afforestation or jn the cultivation of flax, or the development of other industries, and during a brief discussion in committee prior to the first reading several members expressed apprehension lest the proposal would enable the Government to dispose of larger areas than at present to afforestation companies.

FLANTING IMPORTED TREES.

“The question is whether any good purpose can be served by doin# that,” said Mi’ P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central). “The trouble so far has been that areas have been planted in trees which should not have 'been so planted, and what we want is power to restrict that, especially the planting of pinis insignis and other imported trees. The Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Apirana Ngata, seemed to speak the truth the other day when he

said too much land had been taken up in afforestation, especially in Hie Taupo country. It seems to me the Government should at this stage bring forward amending legislation to give power to veto the sale of lauds to forestry companies unless the land can be .approved for forestry purposes. I would like to hear some justification for giving the Lands Department this greater power.”

This opinion was endorsed by Mr. W. E. Parry (Lab., Auckland Central), Mr. C. H. Clinkard (U., Rotorua), and Mr. F. Langston* (Lab., Waimarino). Mr. Clinkard pointed out that in the Putaruru district (near Rotorua) so much land had been planted in trees that settlers were concerned, because such lands paid rates only on tin unimproved value. “I would like to allay any anxiety as far as this Bil lis concerned,” said Mr. Ransom. Dining his recent visit to New Zealand Lord ‘Graiga.von had stated that large tracts of land seemed to him to be well fitted for the growing of the flax from which linen warn ami factored, and had expressed surprise that that -type of flax had not so far been introduced to New Zealand.

USE OF CROWN LANDS. As an outcome of Lord Craigavon’s remarks, representations had been made to .tlie Government to allow larger tracts to be taken up to promote the cultivation of this industry. The present powers were not sufficient to allow large enough areas to be taken up for the purpose. Mr. Ransom felt that all would agree that such an industry would be valuable. The clause was also for the purposed promoting the cultivation of the tung oil plant. It had been said I hat no lands in the world were more suited for growing the tung nil plant than the hilly lands in the gum districts, which wore now regarded as more or less hopeless for other purposes. Afforestation had been included in the clause, as there are still tracts of Crown land which were not. suitable for anything else as far as could he understood. At the same time the Government was fully alive to the fact that lands suited for closer settlement should not be given over to the activities he had mentioned. ■ The Bill was read a first time and referred to the Lands Committee.

T:E PUKE MILL CLOSED. Definite advice has been received from the directors that the works of To Puke Flaxmilling Company will be closed this week. Notice was given to the employees yesterday, thus throwing 40 men out of employment. This has been the last flaxmill to continue operations throughout the Dominion. During the last month two other mills operating in flax in this district have been closed.

The dosing of these mills has been due to depressed prices for fibre. It is estimated that the cost of labour and manufacture of flax fibre far exceeds the market value and for commercial purposes the production of flax bi-products can mly be made with heavy losses to the company. Advices state that it is impossible to produce phormiuin (euax at less than £2O per ton, which price is in excess of the present ruling market price.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.

The Department of Agriculture lias received the following cablegram, dated 27th instant, from the High (/ommis'sioiier for New Zealand, London: —

Hemp:—Manila, market dull and easier. “lv” grade November•Jantiary shipment sold down to £2O 12/6, but steadier a t the dose, and October-Deeemiber and Novemberlaunary shipments sold £2l. Sisal: African slow No. 1 Sep-tember-November shipment sold down to £2O 15/-. At the close, sellers quote September-Novem-ber shipment £2l 5/-, OctoberDoeeiriber shipment £2l 10/-. No. 2 15/- to 20/- less.

Sisal Tow: Easier and more business done in No. 1 fair average quality September-Noveinber shipments at £l6.

New Zealand. Market quiet. Values unchanged and purely nominal. No first hand sales reported.