FLAX MILLING INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 117, 16 June 1909, Page 2

FLAX MILLING INDUSTRY

INVEST 1(!AT INfi OUTSIDE CONDITIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Palmerston N., Last Night. A meeting' of tlie directors of A. and L. Seifert Elnxdressing Co., Ltd., owners of the world's biggest, flax-mill-ing plant at Makerua. has, after considering the whole situation decided to send Mr. Alfred Seifert, managing director. to the Philippine Fslandf* to i:ivestigate the conditions of the Manila hemp industry, also to Mexico and Yucatau to investigate the sisal industry, -which within the last few years has assumed immense proportions. Tire company has ! decided to adopt this cour&'e on account | of the very unsatisfactory state oi the | llaxmilling industry. The price is lojy, vet the quantity produced of sisal and Manila seems to be ou the increase. Jjjist weelc, according to the Agent-Hen-mi's cable, the shipment of Manila was 3!),0ft0 bales, a record. The result of Mr. SeifertV investigations will decide whether it is worth persevering in this industry. Tihe position as f ar as the millers are concerned is quite clear. The aH* ? ro(h,clio '» is regulated by tile Aifoitration Court suid the land and industry arc subjected to taxation which the millers regard as an unjust handicap, so if Manila and s'isul tan he produced at a profit at the present prices or 10-wer it will be necessary to consider whether it is worth while continuing in i the ilax industrv.