WOOLPACKS INDUSTRY

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 103, 2 May 1941, Page 8

WOOLPACKS INDUSTRY

Minister Sees Bright Prospects EMPLOYMENT FOR HUNDREDS ‘ ‘ The growing and processing of flax will unquestionably become one of New Zealand's major industries within the next few years,” said the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, yesterday, when speaking at tho opening of the new welfare block at the Woolpack Factory at Foxton. “Its potentialities are tremendous and with the financial assistance which the Government has given and is continuing to give, its growth and expansion will be something of which wo as a nation may bo proud. It must, and will, become a great industry providing not only for the needs of New Zealand, but also for markets overseas. “Here is an industry where the raw material grows luxuriantly in New Zealand. Much'study and scientific care is being given to the production of the best strains of flax and recently the Government acquired 4600 acres in the Moutoa swamp at a cost of over £60,000 for the purpose of developing this area into" a modern flax-growing project to supply the needs of the Woolpack Factory. The swamp is rapidly being cleared of willows and weeds, draining and planting are in progress, while at the stripper mill acquired from Messrs. Ross, Rough and Coy., the installation of a battery of five up-to-date strippers is being installed. In the woolpack factory extensions to the buildings are nearly completed which increase the floor space from 40,000 to 9*3,000 square feet. The most modern machinery available from overseas is being installed in the factory and when this is in operation by the end of this year, no less than 100 tons of green leaf per day will be required.meet its requirements. Already 180 men and women are employed at the woolpack factory and there will ultimately be at least 350. There are 100 men working at and in connection with the stripper mill ancl when the new machines are installed there will be not fewer than £l5O. A sum of £IOOO a week is being paid in wages in these two works apart altogether from the many others who are engaged on clearing the swamp, planting and cutting flax, carting, etc.

“This is all part of a carefully considered and well conceived long-range plan for the development of the whole industry. New Zealand needs an average of 800,000 woolpacks a year, but last year’s big clip took over 1,000,000. Before production started on New Zealand flax packs they were all imported from India at a cost of approximately £IOO,OOO per annum in sterling funds. In 1936 wo produced 245,000 packs, in 1941 we shall make 400,000, and with the new machinery operating in 1942, we shall make our full requirements of 800,(TOO or more if required. As to quality there is no question. Tho New Zealand pack is equal to anything in the world. ,Tho production of all our woolpacks is an achievement of which we can bo proud but the possibilities do not end there. Australia uses vast quantities of woolpacks all of which she imports. We have an unfavourable trade balance with the Commonwealth and during my recent visit to Australia I opened discussions with the Government on the possibilities of our exporting flax packs to Australia. I feel that we can develop a valuable trade in packs with Australia that will be of benefit to both countries. Then there are literally millions of sacks used in the Dominion every year for potatoes, wheat, fertilisers and indeed a multitude of purposes. Splendid sacks can be made from flax and New Zealand can make them. If we can fill our own requirements of sacks it is a goal worth striving for. Already further areas are being examined by the Government with a view to their acquisition for growing flax to provide an adequate supply of raw material for this rapidly expanding industry. “I look forward to the day when even the new plant being installed and tho new areas we propose to develop, will be insufficient to meet the needs of the industry. I can visualise the output of packs being trebled in tho most distant future. Think what this will mean to New Zealand—the employment of hundreds of men and ■women, the building of homes, the production of their food and clothing and other requirements. New Zealand will be proud of her flax industry and I am pleased that I have had the opportunity of doing *ly part towards its development.”