REORGANISING FLAX INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 154, 27 March 1937, Page 7

REORGANISING FLAX INDUSTRY

Progress of Plan COMMITTEE TO ASSIST BUREAU The progress of the Government’s plan for the reorganisation of the flax industry was outlined by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in a statement issued to the Press on Thursday. Under the provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act, public notice has already been given of the material proposals of the plan, and a general meeting of those engaged in the industry was held on Wednesday. This meeting was called together by the Bureau of Industry, and various members of the bureau were present, Mr. L. J. Schmitt (chairman of the bureau) presiding. “A gratifying feature of the meeting,” said the Minister, “was the large attendance of growers of leaf, millers, merchants, rope and twine manufacturers, and other persons interested. A very full discussion took place upon the various problems of the industry, and the different provisions of the plan were explained.

“It was generally agreed that concerted action in conjunction with the Government is necessary if the industry is to be placed upon a sound footing, and if it is to expand to become once again an important factor in the export trade of this country. The meeting was generally of the opinion that such an object could be achieved by co-operation of all interests with the Bureau of Industry and the Government.

“The meeting decided to set up the following committee to examine the plan further, and to meet and co-oper-ate with the bureau:—Flaxmillers: Messrs. F. Wilson (Shannon), L. A. Neiderer (Invercargill), and D. R. Ogilvie (Foxton); growers: Messrs. M. F. Bourke (Wellington), F. Douglas (Mercer), T. Asher (Tokaanu) ; rope and twine manufacturers: Messrs. S. 11. Maddren (Christchurch) and H. F. Sincock (or A. J. Hart) (Dunedin); New Zealand woolpacks: Mr. F. W. Vickerman, New Zealand Woolpacks and Textiles, Ltd. (Wellington) ; merchants: Messrs. L. Goldfinch, Levin and Co., Ltd. (Wellington), and L. A. Golding, A. S. Paterson and Co., Ltd. (Wellington). <

“This special committee of the industry has been appointed so as to assist the bureau in bringing the plan to a stage of finality and agreement with the representatives of the industry, so that with the recommendation of such representatives all persons engaged iu the industry will approve of the provisions of the plan which will be put into operation under the Industrial Efficiency Act.” The Minister said that it was a very pleasing feature to him to see that the spirit of . co-operation was developing in this industry as well as in many others. Although the bureau had previously specified March 31 as the date by which advices in connection with the adoption of the plan hard to be lodged with the bureau as notified to flaxmillei’s and others, the date had been extended pending the completion of the work of the committee which had now been set up. The bureau would notify all persons of the new date for the lodging of notices in connection with the adoption of the plan. When the plan was finally prepared, and it had been decided that it was acceptable to the industry in accordance with the terms of the Industrial Efficiency Act, an Industrial Committee, as provided for in the Act, would be set up to control the plan. That committee will include representatives of the workers as well as of other sections of those interested in the industry.