N.Z. FLAXMILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 260, 27 July 1908, Page 3

N.Z. FLAXMILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

REPORT OF EXECUTIVE. Tho following is a summary of the report of -tho Executive of the New Zealand ITlaxmillers' Association:—" Gentlemen, —During your present, executive's term of office the association lias perhaps had to deal with moro important matters ' affecting tho flaxmilling industry than. liavo previously arisen in the'; 'history ' of/ tho Dominion. Probably, the mcst importarit matter has been that of tho effect of a union amongst the men, and the 'consequent wages and conditions fixed by tho Arbitration Court. You ' aro well aware of the effect of this, and of the efforts of the' association' and its members whon the case camo before the Court. Tho whole matter has been so.tbo.r-. ouglily discussed, at our {general meetings that' the facts need not be again elaborated at this juncture. It is, doubtless,/still fresh iu • your momory that the price' was about £30. per ton-whon 'the case was being considered by the Court, and shortly aftor the award waa rriado the p:;ice dropped,' and to-day (July 17)' is 'quoted J223_ good fair and £20.-10s.' fair,"'f.6;b'. These "prices are,:undor the present l award, in the' unfortunate 'exporionce- of ' tho 7l 'great riiiijority of .millers, considerably below, tho' actual cost of production.- - ' i:; ' ''■ :■' Two bales of each quality.homp, ; also some tow, and • photos 'dealing- with the various stages of : tho. industry, wore forwarded to tho; Franco-British; Exhibition. This exhibit will be sold" at its close, probably at a price '-which Will cover the actual, cost in tho Dominion,'-'and any loss should be amply compensated by' the advertisement which' it has afforded. ''-The association is now registered under tho- Unclassified Societies Act, and affiliated' with the Now Zealand' Employers' Federation, and is iilso a member of tho-Wellington; Employers' Association. ■ This entitled us to .Mr. -Pryor's able, services at ■. the time ; of the 'award, 'and later his advice and assistanco: on. any maters have always been readily, given'and [greatly appreciated. ■At'the Turakina fire ;inquiry Mr: Hankins attended to watch our : interests, and the lonic inquiry was attended by Mr.,A. Seifert. Tho' result of both inquirics ; was to .find that, there .'was nothing 'in; the' spontaneous combustion theory,.- but b(iyond~ 'thatfact no evidence of any materia), value was elicited. '.For the Philadelphia .Museum sample ' hanks and photos are being forwarded, immediately. . Deputations/ -waitod on the ■Minister for Agriculture £ind the Premier with l , reforenc'o; to grading ' regulations and ' land tax respectively;: In, most 1 cases the, deputations; met with more' or,less; successful' results., ;Millors will; be.pleased to note that' arrangements are now complete for the futurograding of -tow, which .is largely-due.: to ' tho ■ representation made by; this association. The association regrets that Mr. Fulton', was sent out of the Dominion to foster'competition in other, parts of: the world. A' tho same time" the • visit: o: ■ Mr.' Fulton to various manufacturing centres should result in a better knowledge" to;'tho. Department of -the requirements of consiiriiers. Mr: Cohen ' visited tho'Phillipino Islands, and .furnished a very instructive report, : which has ? been : much appreciated by all thoso interested in any; way- in the industry. ' Millers will note with satisfaction tho important improvements, in machinery, which gavo:;cbnßiderabl,e promise of a reduced cost-of production,-"and a more uniform .and better of article'. •• A" number of members .of this : association ■ visited the. AVoraroa Experiment Farm last year. It 'is hoped ' thaV the . .visits will • be 'periodical. ; We understand' that experiments wero carried out in tho direction of ascertaining ' tho quality . and percentage of fibre produced..by...the,.Varibus- varieties, but,'. "for reasons; not';.known,■; tho results have not s'oifar been.-niada.,p.uh'!ic-.' Im conolusion, tho-repbrfc'imposes lipcfn -all mijlei's' in - tho district-the necessity, of supporting the association. - ' '.