NEW ZEALAND FLAX

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 48, 25 August 1926, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND FLAX

PRESENT POSITION OF INDUSTRY

STANDABD OF GEADING.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PALMEESTON N., This Day. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Flaxmillers' Association, tho retiring president, Mr. A. Seifert, said that during the last twelve months the output of hemp had been about the average maintained in tho last few years. The cost of production was very high, and an endeavour would have to bo made to reduce the costs to compete against the competition of fibre such as Sisal and Manila.

"I will not attempt to forecast the futuro price of hemp and tow," he continued. The values of all commodities are falling, but, as hemp has not sold at boom prices since the war, it is just possible it may escapo a period of very low prices. iThc production of Sisal has increased in Ava and East Africa, and very largely in Sumatra, while in Yucatau, Mexico, whero tho largest amount of Sisal is produced, the production fell very largely until two years ago. Since then the output has increased considerably. Now I understand the body controlling tho sale of this fibre is decided on a 25 per cent, reduction of output. This no doubt has lately hardened tho price of our hemp."

It was explained that any increase in the Dominion output of hemp would depend entirely on the prices and the cost of production. New Zealand fibre was well dressed and was demanded tho world over. jiven the lower qualities had been readily disposed of in England and Europe at reduced prices. A matter for regret was that the association had been unsuccessful in securing an adjustment of railway freights to a reasonable figure, at present the rates were too high for the carriage of hemp.

The quality of New Zealand hemp, judging by tho graders' reports, had not improved, while the millers were of the opinion that the hemp was bettor dressed at the present time than in tho past, and that the large percentage of low grade hemp was due to the raising of the standard. The graders were of the opinion that tho quality of the raw material was not equal to that of a few years ago, and that this accounted for

'■'c lower grades. It was vital that a question of this sort be settled, as confidence between tho graders and the millers was essential. Ho was of opinion that if the millers and tho graders got together and there was a genuine desire on both sides to come to an arrangement, the difficulties would be overcome. The following officers were olected:—President, Mr. C. A. Loughnan; vice-president, Mr. H. A. Seifert; treasurer, Mr. H. Atters; committee, Messrs. A. Seifert, G. Boss, J. S. Moir, H. Berry, W. Nye, H. A. Seifort, W. Signal, J. H. Hume, and C. Peterson.