FLAX INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 71, 25 March 1937, Page 13

FLAX INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT PLAN

PROGRESS OF THE WORK

An outline of the progress of the plan for the reorganisation of the flax industry was issued to the Press today by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). :

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 of this week. 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, merchaats, 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 to those present.

"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 once again become 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:—Faxmillers: Messrs. F. Wilson (Shannon), L. A. Neiderer (Ihvercargill), and D. R. Ogilvie (Foxton). Growers: Messrs. M. F. Bourke (Wellington), F. Douglas (Mercer), T. Asher (Tokaanu). Rope and twine manufacturers: Messrs. S. H. Ma'ddren (Christchurch),'B. 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 in 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 had to be lodged with the bureau as notified to flaxmiJlers and others, the date had been extended pending the completion pi 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,