GRADING OF FLAX

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 100, 22 January 1927, Page 12

GRADING OF FLAX

GOVERNMENT CONTROL APPROVED PROPOSED USE OF SAMPLES CO-OPERATION PROMISED Results of distinct benefit to the industry are expected to bo derived from the conference held in Wellington yesterday under the auspices of tho New Zealand Flax Millers’ Association. The principle of Government supervision and. control of' grading was affirmed, and. the co-operation of the Agricultural Department in connection with a system of grading samples, recommended by the conference, has been promised. The president of the association (Mr. C. A. Loughnan) occupied the chair, and those also present included: Messrs. H, A. Siefert (vice-president of the association), F. W. Wilson, N. Spiers and A. A. Brown (Waikanae), A._ Siefert (Palmerston North), B. B. Wood (Christchurch), J. S'. Afoir and H. Berry (Foxton), E. T. Frost (Auckland), M. Burke , (Hawke's Bay), C. H. Spiers (Shannon), L. Crew (Linton), T. Watson (Invercargill). A. MacDonald (Waikuku), L. H. Maddren (Christchurch). F. Shardlow (Blenheim), W! Aitken (Afartinborough), R. L. Goldfinch (representing Levin aud Co.), S. A. Longuet (A. S. Paterson aud Co.), and M. Pollock (Johnston and Co.). In opening the proceedings Mr. Loughnan said that while the association did not claim to represenjt|all the flax-milling interests of the Dominion, it believed that the time was ripe when the millers, the mercantile houses, and the manufacturers should come together to firm an organisation fully representative of the whole industry. The meeting would discuss the situation of the flax industry. with particular reference to the grading question. In certain directions a feeling was abroad that there was room for improvement in the present grading system to the advantage of the industry as a whole. A proposed grading scheme, drafted by Mr. 11. A. Siefert, was outlined in detail. It was pointed out by Mr. A. Seifert (hat the general fear among millers was that griding at any time could be altered—the standard raised or the standard lowered. lie repudiated the statement that an attempt would be made at the meeting io lower the standard. As a matter of faci. he added, millers, were ns much onposed to having the standard lowered as to having it ■ raised. Maintenance of the present standard was what was required. Government Grading Confirmed. The opinion was expressed by Mr. Longuet that Government grading had caused an improvement in the, position nf New Zealand hemp, and' the mere fact of Government grading was. a secuu itv to oversea buyers which they could not obtain in anv other form, flo shorten the discussion, be moved: * that na matter what check systems may ho formulated at this meeting,, wo now affirm the principle that Government supervision, and control of the, giading is in the best interests of tlm industry, and that it be not disturbed. The president described f? n. wise one, and he agreed that it should bo the basis of the discussion. I Tn seconding the motion. Mr. Wood said it must be recognised that the ccr. tificate banded to the, buyers was s powerful asset to the industry, r Tho motion was carried." Grading Samples. The question of inaugurating grading samples was raised by Mr. A. Siefert, who explained the method of procedude at length. After a full discussion the following resolution was moved by Mr. Goldfinch:— “That the Department of Agriculture be asked to have samples of all grades prepared and shown suitably in the main grading stores throughout the Dominion, such samples to be selected by a committee representing the Department of Agriculture, New Zealand lias millers, manufacturers, and merchants; that the range of samples be renewed as required (once every twelve months is suggested); that the samples be sealed’ and opened in the presence of the recognised authorities only; . ana that a fee of £1 be paid by millers disputing the grading when the dispute involves the unsealing of samples.’ The president, in supporting the resolution, recommended that the details of the proposal be left to a sub-com-mittee and the grading authorities. Afr. Frost, who seconded the motion, said it would be a most important step to affirm the principle of having sample hanks in grading sheds. It was a warrant against frivolous appeals and. in addition, was a protection to the graders. ‘" The resolution was carried and a subcommittee was appointed to give effect to its directions. ifr. A. Siefert was appointed to represent the millers and Afr. Goldfinch the merchants, while the cordage manufacturers were invited to appoint their representative later. The committee was invested with authority to augment its numbers by the appointment of one further representative from each of the three interests mentioned.

Department's Sympathy. When the nreting resumed in tho afternoon Mr. Goldfinch reported that tho committee had had during the adjournment a successful interview with Afr. A. If. Cockayue. director of the fields division of the Agricultural Dc•partment. Mr. Cockayne was in full accord with the proposed procuring ot samples, and the Department was prepared to accord the scheme every possible assistance. “From the attitude be takes up,’’ added the speaker, “I beliovo we have found the basis of a friendly working agreement. He was pleased to know that the Government system of grading was supported. Summed up, I think this conference to-day has been productive of really excellent results.” (Applause.) Mr. A. Siefert said ho was satisfied the Department intended to go wholeheartedly into the samples question. It was decided after discussion to request the Government io appoint instructors, as had been done in other industries. so that mistakes made by millers might be rectified. It was pointed out that such a sten would be of material assistance to the industry. The meeting recommended also that the association should convene an annual meeting, to be held in the wintertime. of all interested in the industry, and that the sotretary should circularise all millers, etc., inviting them to join the association.