FLAX FOR SACKS.

Shannon News, 21 September 1928, Page 2

FLAX FOR SACKS.

MAY CREATE NEW : SECONDARY INDUSTRY

In our issue of yesterday, a message from Dunedin stated that a recent discovery patented in the southern city might have the most far-reaching results upon the New Zealand flax industry. .

A Dunedin resident, Mr. Robert Coghill, has been conducting research work which has resulted in the patenting of a process by means of which phormium tenax hemp can be utilised for the manufacture of wool-packs, sacking, etc. At the present time this Dominion imports nearly threequarters of a million pounds worth of jute goods per annum, while Australia spends over four milllions annually on the same materials. The majority of the jute importations come from India which possesses an extensive export trade in this valuable product. It can be seen, therefore, that any discovery which will enable New Zealand flax to be utilised for jute should give a tremen ; dous fillip to the industry generally. ; Judging from the results so far obtained, it would seem that the expenditure and trouble taken in the matter have been amply justified. The new article is claimed to be superior in every way to jute sacking, and since it is stated that the cost to farmers of the finished goods will not exceed that of tho imported material, the value of this research to the Dominion can be readily imagined. An Important Discovery, Mr. Alfred Seifert, 'chairman of the recently instituted Flax Industries Re*, search Committee, and a prominent flaxmiller, when approached by a reporter yesterday, stated that the process might well have the most impbrfc'atit results upon the flax industry. “It appears to me a most important thing for the flaxmilling industry,", said Mr. Seifert! ‘lt may give the millers another market and New Zealand another industry, while it will keep the money at present spept in N jute from going out of the country." Mr. Seifert showed a sample of the sacking manufactured under Mr. Coghill’s process and pointed out that it appeared quite as strong and pliable as the jute article. It appeared to him to be fully as well adapted to manufacturing purposes as the Indian importations. Beyond tho fact that Mr. Coghill had dispatched this specimen of sacking for his inspection, however, Mr Seifert was unable to give any inkling as to the methods adapted in the new process. He stated, that the matter would, in all probability, be taken up by the Flax Research Committee to which it should be of considerable interest. In addition to the portion Of sacking, Mr. Coghill had also dispatched several samples of New Zealand hemp treated by his process. The fibre was soft and pliable and appeared excellently adapted for manufacturing - purposes. V