CHRISTENING A FLAXMILL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 46, 18 November 1907, Page 2

CHRISTENING A FLAXMILL.

FORECASTS OF THE FUTURE. HON. R. M'NAB OPTIMISTIC. Tho "christening" of the A. and L. Seffort Company's new flax mill in the Makerua Swamp, hear Shannon, came off on Saturday with duo ceremony. The Hon. R. M'Nab, Minister for Agriculture, acted as godfather, and tho speeches of millers and members of Parliament alike wero brimful of faith, hope, and charity for the future. The ceremony was attended by over two hundred visitors from all over the coast, including, besides tho members of Parliament, leading flaxmillers and merchants. Ah elaborate lunch was provided by the company. Tho Wellington visitors, on tho arrival of the express, wero taken by tho tram a distance of three miles to the contre of the swamp, whence an excellent opportunity offered of seeing the vast extent of the area covered by flax. The mill and other buildings were also inspected and admired. The total cost of tho mill and appointments is ostiniated at £100,000. Mr. Gibbons, chairman, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, and made some appropriate remarks, in the course of which, on behalf of the directors, he paid a tributo to Mr. A. Seifert for the energy and enterprise shown in connection with tho formation and working of the Company. (Applause.) Mr. G. Booth proposed the toast of " Parliament," and added a reference to the Seifert family, as a people of the type to which Manawatu was much indebted for its development. The Hon. T. Y. Duncan, in response, said there was a tower of wealth in the swamp connected with the mill. He hoped that all connected with tho industry would .put forward the best article they could produce and keep up the status of the country. Messrs. Jield, Lawry, Hone Heke, and Hogg also replied to the toast. The Hon. R.' M'Nab proposed tho toast of '"-Tho (laxmilling industry." In referring to the early history of the industry, he said the first knowledge of the flax trade originated from the Maoris, who manufactured articles and exchanged them for arms to kill their brothers. The industry had undergone enormous development since then. Government grading had enabled the flax fibro to bo oxported from the Dominion in a stato to command the highest price. In order to be secure against oversea competition, tho millers must turn out the best possible article. He had cabled on Friday to the High Commissioner for "an indication of the stato of tho Home market, and had that minute received'the following reply: "Hemp, pressed. Prices good, although somewhat irregular, as demand is speculative. Future greatly depends upon Manila shipments, which it is anticipated will be heavy. American financial troubles also adversely disturb the market. Prices are:—Good fair on spot, nominal £30; January-March shipments £28 108. Fair, on spot, nomiual, £28 10s.; January-March, £27; Manila: fair, current on spot, £30; January-March, £29 10s. Have no reason to anticipate serious dcclino on London market." Ho saw no reason why this industry should not produce as much wealth as any other industry in the Dominion.

Mr. A. 0. Gardner said it was only a few years ago since a portable engine and an open-air mill constituted a flax-mill, and work had to bo suspended if the weather was at all wet. The advance in the industry was duo to evolution to a cortain extent. Part of the credit was duo to tho old millers, as tho pioneers made certain discoveries which were handed down to the present-day millers. The speaker's father was the first to direct attention to. tho necessity for grading. He hoped that the Government would give careful attention to tho question of a chief grader. At the present time the flaxmillers felt that the industry was suffering through tho absence of tho chief grader. To Mr. Hogg fell the honour of proposing the toast of "The A. and L. Seifert Company." He believed that tho Seiferts were the most enterprising manufacturers in the Dominion. Ho applauded their enterprise in the erection of such a fine mill, and commented on the excellent accommodation provided for the men. Mr. A. Seifert explained his connection witli the Makenia Company, and said many thousands of pounds had been spent in draining the Swamp. It had long been his desire to have a mill liko the present one. The company was favoured in having induced a few men to come in who were prepared to stand by .even if flax took a drop. Ho referred to the wages, which had increased with tho industry, and said that at tho prosent time there was not, a man employed at the mill getting less than Bs. per day. He believed that improvements in machinery would affect the industry in the future. The machinery of/ the present-day was practically the samb as it was eighteen years ago. They had- at their mill adopted some new ideas, but still there was room for improvement, and ho hoped to sec further inventions dovolop in order that there should bo less waste. He believed it was possible for tho Government to improve upon tho grading system. He suggested getting standard bales graded and having them sent to tho different centres, so as to securo uniformity of grading. The Government would further seo that tho cultivation was properly conducted, for it had been found that after cutting for a number of years a field gavo indications of running out. Those in tho industry must keep an eye on outside competition. Ho was confident that the millers were quite capable