PHORMIUM OUTPUT

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 149, 21 December 1936, Page 16

PHORMIUM OUTPUT

IMPORTANT INDUSTRY

"After years of disappointment the flax industry in New Zealand now looks quite promising," said Mr. W. Petrie, the chief Government hemp grader, ' speaking to an Auckland "Star" reporter. "With Australia looking for good quality hemp, and a keen demand in London ifor fibre suitable for making rope for the Admiralty, prices have improved considerably. Prospects on the world market are better than they have been for years past. "As for-production, output in • the Dominion is increasing each month, and the returns for this month, when they are available, will be well above those for last month. A high quality product is vital to the future of flax in New Zealand," said Mr. Petrio. "Progress has been made in milling methods, through the men gaining experience, and through research and inspection. "Flax milling, comprises many small processes, in any one of which neglect may result in the production of an inferior fibre. The cutter, sorter and classer, stripper-feeder, washer, bleacher, and scutcher must all take pains if the right quality, which will hold its own on the world market, is to be produced. ... "The main trouble is not with muling methods, however. Progress has been made in that direction and is continuing. The most serious problem the industry has to face is leaf deterioration. While quality can be improved by better milling any advance is limited if the raw material is inferior at the start. This leaf deterioration can only be overcome by planting flax on large areas of suitable land, and by careful propagation. Under such conditions the industry has a future."