Problems of the Flax Fields

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 August 1913, Page 4

Problems of the Flax Fields

I « ! INVKNTOBS BUSY. (New Zealand Times.) The £12,000 Government bonus lor improvements in flaxdressing machinery was the subject of a recent advertisement by the New Zealand Flaxinillers' whose liead- ' quarters are at I'almerston X. It matures next November. There are at present at least five separate groups of experimentera striving to achieve the required improvements, but at least two of these claim to be aiming at bigger game than the bonus. The "five groups referred to are Messrs Hubert Boeken and Co., Germany, operating at Tokomaru; Clavdon and Ohristchurch, experimenting at Foxton; Maddren Bros., OKristcfiurch: Tait, Dunedin: and the New Zealand Flax Machines Co., of Palmcrston North. Extraordinary secrecy is being preserved by most of the groups, but it is generally conceded that they have one aim in common—improvement in quality and elimination of paddocking. a ln the ordinary stripperrlressed fibre," said a represen-

rj tative of one of tlic groups, $ '"you get a large pereentage of gum tangled up with the fibre, and red, green and brown juices discolour it. No amount of bleaching in the process of glorified haymaking can remove the stains. Another injury >s done by the stripper, which beats it fifteen or twenty times to the inch. A blind man told me he can tell hemp from Manila by t-lio indentations thus caused." 'No/' he added, "we are not - surrendering out patent rights surredering our patent rights we shall not claim it. .£12,000 wouldn't pay us. Why, the inventor who dispensed with the 'glory hole,' wherein an individual in a big hat sat beneath a shower of vegetation guiding the leaves of flax, gets several thousands a year royalty now from the Manawatu district alono. One firm pays him £500 The inventor who can dispense with the expensive padflocking and save the contract charge of 32b fid per ton will make n fortune."