HEW ZEALAND FLAX

Evening Star, Issue 22032, 18 May 1935, Page 12

HEW ZEALAND FLAX

BRITISH INVENTOR’S NEW TREATMENT TRADE POSSIBILITIES IH BRITAIH

[By L. D. Austin.]

Representatives of the New Zealand Government in London are investigating a new method of treating what is scientifically known as phormium tenax, the familiar, long-leaved plant known all over New Zealand by its common or garden name of flax. ■ The inventor of this new process Is a London mining engineer who has had long experience in China, South Africa, South America, Spain, and other counHis interest in the possibilities of processing flax was first aroused through being shown a sample of fibre from Brazil, and eventually he became so impressed by the scope of the idea that he acquired the patent rights of the Brazilian inventor for a very large sum, and immediately set_ out to make improvements on the original machine, which he speedily discovered was not' sufficiently practical for his purpose. The scheme in the mind of the London inventor took the shape of a combined chemical and mechanical operation that would render the fibre suitable for fine spinning. After many arduous experiments, involving an outlay of several thousands of pounds, this dual method was perfected, provisional patents being applied for and obtained. The inventor’s success in the treatment of Brazilian fibre led him to experiment further with fibres from other countries, such as sisal hemp, hibiscus, and other varieties, all of which yielded excellent results. It was at this stage that I made the personal acquaintance of the inventor, and after seeing his machine at work it immediately occurred to me that still better results might be obtained by applying it to New Zealand flax, the production of which I had heard was languishing for want of profitable encouragement. The picture I drew of the stagnation m the New Zealand flax industry, together with my description of the leaf itself, stimulated my friend’s curiosity to such an extent that eventually I suggested a meeting between himself and the London trade representatives of the New Zealand Government in order that the possibilities of experimenting with the dominion-grown article might be explored. We had a preliminary conference at New Zealand House, Strand, , when, after a long debate, it was agreed that specimens of leaves from plants grown in Cornwall should be tried out /first, pending the arrival of the genuine, leaf from New Zealand. I might say at once that these Cornish samples differ materially from the home-grown product, although they spring from the native root. Probably conditions of soil and climate exercise a very marked influence. However, the results obtained from subjecting those leaves to my friend’s mechanical treatment have been so highly encouraging that he is looking forward eagerly to further experiments with flax sent direct from the dominion. The New Zealand representatives attended a demonstration of the process recently in the inventor’s laboratory at Bedford Park, London, and they seemed to be very impressed with the scope for New Zealand flax opened out by the invention. There can be little doubt that the New Zealand Government has an opportunity now for reviving the flax industry of the dominion, provided that finance is available to cover the expense of erecting a demonstration plant in New Zealand. This plant, I am informed, would be designed to produce , two or three tons per week of the im- ■ proved fibre from New Zealand flax, With the ultimate view of making such plant the model for similar installations in all the flax-gfowing centres of the dominion. . In this way, standard qualities of a soft material for finer spinning than has hitherto been possible would be developed—thus enormously enlarging the present market for New Zealand flax, which is now almost entirely restricted to the manufacture of cordage and twines. The extended market would naturally command immeasurably higher prices. It will, therefore, be seen that this suggested new treatment promises infinitely greater scope for New Zealand flax than could ever be reached by continuing on the present lines. The whole matter revolvesf; round the possibility of producing a'fibre which by its superior characteristics will attract the attention of the leading British spinners, who are always on the alert for fresh material, and whose idle machinery cries out for employment. ' There is considerable room for improvement even in the preliminary method of treating flax now used in New Zealand I allude to the operation known as “ stripping,” which, as at present conducted, is a somewhat rough and ready procedure. By the proposed method of handling, what is called “ scutching ” would be entirely eliminated,, and there are other clever devices for still further simplifying the various stages of production, with a consequent reduction in expenses. It may be urged that throughout the new system of processing the mechanical handling of the fibres keeps costs at a low level. The initial outlay on the new machinery involved is also comparatively small, and, without going into definite figures at this stage, there seems little _ doubt that, with general trade conditions so depressed, the time is opportune for the New Zealand Government to give immediate consideration to this suggested method of improving the flax industry.