REORGANISATION OF FLAX INDUSTRY

Manawatu Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 4811, 16 July 1937, Page 3

REORGANISATION OF FLAX INDUSTRY

PLAN EXPLAINED TO FOXTON GROWERS AND MILLERS A meeting of local and district flaxmillers and Departmental representatives Avas held in the Racing Club’s office yesterday. The conference occupied the greater part of the day and Avas not open to the Press. At the conclusion the following statement Avas released: “In pursuance of the policy of the Government in obtaining the cooperation of those actively engaged in an industry which the Bureau of Industry is assisting to reorganise, a meeting of flax-millers and growers was held yesterday. The. meeting was attended by all the millers in the district and a good representation of growers, the chair being taken by the mayor of Foxton, Mr M. E. Perreau. “Mr F. .Johnston, deputy-chair-man of the Bureau of Industry, and Mr C. M. Bowden, special manufacturers’ representative on the bureau, aaJio had attended a meeting at Auckland on the previous day, Avere present and addressed the meeting. The plan of reorganisation, which had been circulated to all known flax-growers and millers in the Dominion, had been prepared by the bureau after consultations with a committee of the industry. All the features of the' plan were fully explained by the two bureau members, and a number of questions Avere answered. The plan Avas A r ery Avell receded by those present and appreciation Avas expressed of the practical assistance tb be given by the Government,, through the. bureau, toAvard the reorganisation and improvement of this once-important industry. “The representatives present were particularly interested in the proposals for the setting-up by the Minister of Industries and Commerce of an industrial committee as provided by the Industrial Efficiency Act, 1936, from a list- of persons nominated by themselves, Avhieh committee Avould be. charged Avtih the administration of the plan, the control of the industry thus being from Avithin its oavii ranks, assisted by three Government representatives. ’

“A local committee Avas set up to prepare and submit to the, Minister of Industries and Commerce a panel of names from Avhom he should appoint the industrial committee and generally to assist in implementing the plan submitted. A further meeting is to be held in Wellington to-day and Messrs C. M. Bowden and E. J. Bawcett, of the Department of Agriculture and a member of the bureau, are to address a meeting of Southland millers and groAvers at Invercargill next Wednesday night. “The Industrial Efficiency Act requires the consent of 50 per eent. of the principals engaged in an industry before any plan can be put into effect. Voting papers have been circulated to all flax groAvers and millers in the Dominion and are returnable not later than July 28th.”