NEW ZEALAND HEMP

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 410, 19 July 1928, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND HEMP

IMPROVED QUALITY WANTED NORTHERN MILLERS MEET An effort to improve the gi'ade of flax at present coming forward for export is to be ipade as a result of representations of the Northern Flax Millers’ Association. The annual meeting of the association was held yesterday. Mr. E. L. Broad, Tauranga, presided. As a result of the association’s efforts millers will in future have the privilege of inspecting, with another member of the association, any hemp reported to be wet. Mr. W. Ferris, chief fibre expert of the Department of Agriculture, has been appointed to travel round the mills and assist millers to improve the grades, and a phormium committee has been set up to work in conjunction with the Department of Industries and Commerce. On a suggestion put forward by the association that work for the unemployed could be found on flax lands, the Government has commenced planting - on a 500-acre block in the Hauraki Plains, and it is understood the extension of the scheme is under consideration. As a result of the society's efforts, naturallyplanted flax has been exempted from taxation. The meeting decided to approach the Harbour Board with a request that it should consider the erection of a dump-ing-shed and grading-store on the wharf to reduce the handling involved in the use of the premises at Parnell. The following officers were re-elected:— President, Mi*. E. L. Broad, Tauranga; vice-president, Mr. F. Douglas, Mercer; secretary, Mr. E. T. Frost, Tuakau.