SILK FROM FLAX.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 238, 7 October 1932, Page 5

SILK FROM FLAX.

NEW AUCKLAND INDUSTRY. The discovery of a process for the manufacture of artificial silk from New Zealand flax (phormium tenax) has led to the establishment of a new Auckland industry, one which, it is hoped, w ill find employment for a large number of men. The venture is under the aegis of the Provincial Flaxgrowers and Millers' Association, who; at their factory in Wellington Street, have produced from flax, artificial silk yarn, and "darofoil" paper-wrappings of the highest quality. It has been definitely proved that first-quality sulphite cellulose pulp, which is the basis of artificial silk, can be produced economically by Dr. W. J. Brown's process. A comprehensive window display of the finished products is to be seen in Messrs. Milne and Choyce's, and this has attracted great interest and very favourable comment. All the material shown has been made from flax grown on the Flaxgrowers and Millers' Association's land at Mangatawhiri and Pokeno, and digested, bleached and processed in the company's factory and laboratories in Auckland. After the successful completion of his experiments, Dr. Brown demonstrated his process before representatives of the Government in Wellington. Following another demonstration at Auckland University College, the Flaxmillers' Association realised the commercial possibilities of the process, and the industry has been placed on a sound financial basis. The company has secured a site for a large flaxmill at Mercer, and further large developments in the new business will shortly take place.