N.Z. WOOL PACKS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 229, 27 September 1941, Page 10

N.Z. WOOL PACKS

FLAX WEAVING INDUSTRY COMMENT BY MR. SEMPLE (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The New Zealand flax weaving industry was now producing 400,000 wool packs a year, stated the Minister of Railways, Mr. Semple, in the House of Representatives yesterday, when replying to a comment from Mr. Dickie (Opposition, Patea). that there was too much expenditure on the hauling of flax for the woolpack industry. This was half the Dominion's requirements, and areas of land were being developed so that more flax could be grown, added Mr. Semple. Jute interests had tried to sabotage the flax industry, said Mr. Semple. The first, pack produced had been deliberately spoiled by a man who had left the country shortly after-1 wards, but the shoep farmers of the Dominion had not been put off by the fact that the first pack was like a "hairy goat skin." They had been loyal to their country's production and had helped the industry to succeed. Mr. Semple gave details i of the work being done to clear land for flax growing, and expressed the opinion that the flax industry in New Zealand could be re-established and built up into an export industry. He had taken a New Zealand pack to Australia, and the Australian wool growers, who used millions of packs, were anxious to get flax packs for their fine merino wool, which was liable to be spoiled by jute fibres getting into it from the packs.