FLAX INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 95, 21 March 1938, Page 8

FLAX INDUSTRY

MINISTER VISITS FOXTON. CONSIDERATION OF POSITION. A r ery serious consideration is being given to the present position of the flax industry by. the Government and the committee which has been set up, representing Government departments, growers, millers, merchants and employees, according to the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) when speaking at a welcome tendered him when he visited Foxton and various places in the district on Saturday to carry out certain investigations in regard to the industry. Mr Sullivan’s activities touched all phases of the industry, from growing, milling, and fabrication to research.

The Minister was accompanied by Messrs C. L. Hunter (member ior Manawatu), L. G. Lowry (member for Otaki, in whose electorate Foxton will be placed following the alteration of the electoral boundaries), L. J. Schmitt (secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce). Dr. E. Marsden (secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research), Mr. E.. J. Fawcett (assistant Director-General of Agriculture) and others. On the party’s arrival at Foxton a welcome was extended by Mr M. E. Perreau (the Mayor), who expressed the appreciation of the people of the district of the interest of the Minister and referred to the assistance which the Government had given the industry—an industry which played an important part in the economic life of Foxton. The people of the district had confidence in the future of the industry, which he hoped the Government would continue to aid by scientific research and in other directions. FALL IN AVORLD PRICES. The Minister, in returning thanks to the Mayor, outlined the steps which the Government had taken to rehabilitate the flax industry. Investigations had been made by various Government departments and conferences had been held with millers, growers and merchants. An industrial plan under the Industrial Efficiency Act. had been adopted by the industry at a conference, and a committee comprising representatives of the Government departments, growers, millers, merchants, and employees had been appointed. Unfortunately, however, world prices for flax fibre had seriously declined in recent months and this had had a most detrimental effect on the industry. A number of mills had to close. Very serious consideration was being given to the position by the. committee and the Government. Every possible , effort was being made to advance matters to a satisfactory conclusion.. Both Messrs Lowry and Hunter expressed their thanks to the Minister for the close interest he was taking in the industry, and honed that he would not , “scrap” the flax plan because of the present ruling prices for fibre, and that,..in conjunction with his colleagues, he would continue the help that had already been extended the industry, which could bo developed with great advantage to the Dominion and the large number of employees engaged therein. Rtr Sullivan also met representatives of the flaxmillers, growers and employees. He later inspected, the wool pack factory. Inspections were also made of two flaxmills, and the party then visited the experimental area conducted bv Dr. J. «■>. A’eates on the Moutoa Estate. The opportunity was taken to discuss matters of importance on the spot, and before returning to AVellington the Minister paid a visit to the annual gathering of the Sandon Sports Club at Sandon.