FLAX INDUSTRY

Grey River Argus, 2 December 1938, Page 11

FLAX INDUSTRY

EXTRACTION OF FIBRE. CLAIMS FOR NEW PROCESS. HASTINGS, November 29. Revolutionary changes in methods of extracting, fibre from flax are likely, to be made if proposals now afoot to establish the flaxgrowing industry in Hawke’s Bay on the.Poukawa SWamp are acceptable to the Government...’As a result of a new process if. is claimed that the quantify of fibre that’ can be extracted from flax is increased, considerably, with the result that the chances of .the cultivation., of /flax as a , payable commercial proposition., are enhanced. . , r The. new .process, makes it possible to extract the shorter fibre from the flax; in other, words,' it is possible to extract the, fibre'from all ’parts of the flax leaf, a great’ quantity of which has in the past' been. regarded , as waste./ The/amount, extracted, .will be more tiian doubled as a result of the utilisation of hitherto waste fibre

The extra fibre processed, it is stated, might make all the difference between success and failure from the standpoint of an economical and . profit making industry. Whereas in the past nine to 12 tons of flax were required to produce a ton of fibre, only six tons will be needed in future, and long-fibred flax will not be essential, as the process can handle the shorter-fibred varieties. The process also makes possible the extraction of fibre from dried leaf, whereas in the past only green leaf was of any use. Instead of six tons of green leaf being sent to the mill to produce one ton of fibre, only 25 cwt. of dried leaf wBl be sent to produce the same quantity. It is also claimed for the new process that it can be applied to produce fibre from the leaves of the ordinary cabbage tree. and. wild.. mountain flax such .as is to" be found growing on the pumice country between Napier and Taupo.. . ’ /■ . / . \