THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8825, 17 March 1909, Page 5

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I read with interest your article in last night's "Standard" on the flax industry. I think you exactly hit the nail on the head regarding the position of millers, who are milling flax on a royalty basis. There is absolutely no doubt whatever that both royalty and wages are contributing factors in the present high cost of manufacture. Any practical miller must know the exact amount, of wages each of his men earn per week, and consequently can see where reductions and adjustments ought and must be made in the present The present market ' value of ".Good fair" hemp is £19 10s per ton, Wellington, and I firmly believe that 90 per cent of the royalty mills are unable to work at a profit at that- price. I will take one district only to point out the very serious position in which Palmorston N. is placed. At Oroua Bri'dge there arc ■now seven flaxmills working, giving employment for about 150 men. These mills pay out on a very lov* average £1500 per month in wages. The greater part of this amount finds its way to Palmerston, as all the millers in question bank in the town. Now the point I wish to impress is this: The whole of that £1500 is foreign money brought into the place, consequently one must see the very great loss the town will suffer if things arc not put. on a more satisfactory basis at once in order to allow these mills to continue working. Sir, n the above amount is paid monthly in wages, just consider how much must be spent for a like' period foed the men and necessary expenses in running a flaxmill. This industry, I am sure, affects either directly or indirectly ninetenths of the business people of the town. Seeing this I am somewhat surprised that none of them have taken up the cause of the millers in order to assist in bringing about a more satisfactory state of affairs. —I am, etc., A POOR ROYALTY MILLER.