FLAX-MILLERS’ ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 19616, 23 July 1927, Page 11

FLAX-MILLERS’ ASSOCIATION

THE ANNUAL MEETING [Per United Press Assocution.J , it PALMKUSTON N., July 23. The annual meeting of the New Zeala'j'd Flax-millers’ Association was held to-day, Mr H. A. Sfefert (vice-presi-dent) presiding. , Tho annual report stated that the quality of this year’s production graded a little below tho average of previous years. Most of the millers were of tho opinion that this was due to the hardening of the grading standard, and not to any extent to carelessness in handling or to poorer quality leaf. The small premiums offered for better grades, during the latter half of the year especially, did not encourage millers to go to much expense in pursuit of extra quality. Prices throughout the .year had been steady, but nqt high." The 1926 winter price was the best received during a winter for several years past. This was rather strange, for one expected the groat coal strike to have lowered the market. The summer price last season was pot as gpod as usual. During the past year further flax-planting companies had been formed, mainly in the Auckland province. Never before had the industry been so much in the public eye. The methods had also undergone some change. Of great importance was the abandonment of side-leaf cutting, and the reversion to hook cutting by three of tho largest firms that had adopted side-leaf cutting. Many experiments had been carried out with washing fibre apd also with artificial bleaching and air drying. The scutching process had received some attention. Another movement of considerable importance was the eft or t that had beep manifested at several mills to class fibre before haling. In regard to flic future of the industry, prices could not bo .expected to he greatly improved. The output would probably, bo a little lower than last year, owing to the abandonment of side-leaf cutting ami tip} 'closure of the marginal mills. These were the mills which were run upon tho scattered proas of flax when conditions were favorable to the industry,’ About 16,50(3' tens would probably be the output for the coming year, and tho quality should be about equal to that of last year. Flax planting was expected to exceed all previous records, as probably from 500 to 1,000 acres would be planted in the coming year. At the same time, for the next five, six, or eight years the natural (lax would supply almost the whole of the output. Two problems of outstanding importance which were worthy of investigation were:' (11, Artificial bleaching and drying; this wap the millers’ greatest opportunity to cheapen production, with probably an improvement in quality. (3) The development of additional uses for fibre- textile and paper manufacture offered splendid possibilities, in view of the increasing production. If these could he developed satisfactorily, then the industry should develop beyond anything visual? (sc.d at present rtUWniy,ii„-