THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8539, 20 March 1908, Page 2

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

IMPROVEMENTS IN DRESSING. A deputation consisting of Messrs Toogood and W. C. Buchanan, introduced by Mr Hogg, M.P., waited on the Hon. R. McNab, Minister for Agriculture, in reference to the flax industry. T t was explained that the late Mr Toogood, of Featherston, had spent ten years of his life and a good doat of money in endeavouring to improve the plant for flax dressing. He had succeeded so far that the Government recognised his efforts by granting him a bonus of £250, and at another time £150. This, however, represented but a small portion of the cost of the experiments he had conducted. At tho time of his death a! few years ago he had explained his process to the commission that was set up to deal with applicants for the offer made by the Government, but the machinery was not perfected. His experiments were intended, by the simultaneous use of the stripper and water power, to thoroughly separate the white fibre from the green leaf, so that paddocking and bleaching would be unnecessary. That this was possible Mr Toogood demonstrated by producing fibre in four hours that would otherwise have required a fortnight to manufacture. The deputation submitted that if the process could only be made thoroughly practicable the cost of production would be reduced by at least £5 per ton, and this would have manifestly a good effect on a most important industry which was now languishing. Mr Toogood said that with his brothers he was interested in the flax industry. They wished for no benefit for themselves, but suggested that the Government should do something to bring the experiments that had been made to a successful issue. The Minister stated that a large number of methods of improving tho system of flax dressing had been brought under his attention, and he could not irender assistance in any special case. He would, however, give the representations that had been made his earnest consideration and communicate the result to the members of the deputation.