Flaxmillers' Conference.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7941, 24 October 1904, Page 7

Flaxmillers' Conference.

'(Per Press Association),

INVEECAKGILL, October 22.

At a meeting of the Flaxmillers* Association yesterday, the demands of the Acclimatisation Society re the pollution of streams and the alleged poisoning of trout, were discussed, and it was resolved to defend a test case if one were brought by the Society. Men from Canterbury denied that the mill refuse injured trout. One said they swarmed about a. hole in which water and gum from his mill were discharged. On the question of grading, a member just returned from America said the spinners there were not satisfied with the flax as they received it. They wanted it ieady to put through the machines, but not fine. They preferred it coarse, if it were free from knots and lumps. So dissatisfied were the Yankees that they said that where mamla was available, they would use it in preference to New Zealand fibre.

Another speaker said his experience at Home was the same Ho had every respect for the Chief Grader, but there was no use setting up ideals. What was wanted was a system, of grading for uses to which the fibre would be put. He also had been told at Home that they did not want fine fibre, but wanted it so that they could use it right away without further dressing. It was resolved:" That the attention of the Government be drawn to the opinions of competent mill-owners and spinners, that the standards of grading were not in keeping with the necessities of the Home manufacturers for whom we are catering; also, that the time is opportune to obtain expert opinion as to whether the standards fall short of what the trade wants."