MUMMY FIBRE

Evening Star, Issue 23124, 25 November 1938, Page 12

MUMMY FIBRE

Manufacture of ramie—the material iu which Egyptian mummies were wrapped—is envisaged as a great Australian industry. Mr W. G. Hutchins, Northern Territory pastorahst, says that Melville Island is an ideal site for the growing and manufacture of ramie. In an interview, Mr Hutchins said he had bought options over parts of Melville Island in the hope that Jewish refugees would found a colony there. Two Jewish organisations in London are said to have plans for colonising the island. Ramie is a shrubby plant allied to the common nettle, but not having stinging hairs. Known also as Chinagrass, it is found in China and the Malay States, and in Assam, where it is known as rhea. The fibre is used for artificial silk, gas mantles, and paper making. “ By a process discovered in Australia within the past two years, it is now possible to produce ramie os cheap as cotton weaves,” Mr Hutchins said. “ Ramie is similar to Assam, silk. China exports about 100,000 tons of ramie a year.” Air Hutchins said he resented attacks made in London against the island by people who had been misinformed. ' The island was capable of producing coffee, sugar cane, cotton, indigo, rubber, ehicone, and tobacco.