THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9088, 6 March 1908, Page 8

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

A BUNGLED MEETING. Press Association. Palmerston N., March. A meeting was held at Foxton last night at the instigation of Mr Ross and one or two others flaxmill owners with the avowed purpose of arranging a conference with flaxmill employees l s with the idea of making arrangements with the men to work at a lower wage on account of the low price ruling for flax, the convenors considering that the present rates the mills were working at a loss. The meeting was premature, the convenors having no definite proposals to set before the crowd of employees present, and after a long and aimless discussion, during which numerous questions were asked by the men as to the main idea of the convenors, the meeting terminated without definite action. Mr Ross, replying to a question, absolutely refused to permit his books to 'be examined by a public accountant. Prominent millers in the district consider the meeting a blunder.