Flax Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 103, 2 May 1941, Page 9

Flax Industry

BIG EXPANSION PLAN AT POXTON Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, paid a visit to Foxton yesterday and dealt with a number of matters relating to the flax industry. The Minister was accompanied by Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P. for the district, and members of the Flax Committee. After inspecting the extensions to the buildings of the woolpack factory, which increased the floor space from 40,000 square feet to 93,000 square feet, and the now machinery which is being installed, the Minister opened the new welfare block at the factory. A«niong those present were Mr. M. E. Perrcau (Mayor of Foxton), Mrs. W. Trueman, Dr. Platts-Mills, senr., and Dr. Platts-Mills, junr., Messrs. F. W. Vickerman (managing-director), F. Johnson (director), J. Fawcett (chairman of the Flax Committee) and Mr. D. R. Ogilvie. In opening the build'ings, the Minister introduced Miss Hitchcock, who has been appointed welfare officer. Miss Hitchcock has had a long and exceedingly valuable experience in Karitane nursing and welfare work, and the Minister expressed pleasure at the fact that her services had been secured. The welfare block is an innovation of which any industrial concern might well be proud, said the Minister. The health and welfare of the employees should be the paramount consideration of employers, because without health output and production must fail. Mr. {Sullivan said that the growing and processing of flax would become one of New Zealand’s major industries within the next few years. “This year we will make 400,000 woolpaeks at Foxton, and next year, with the addition of new machinery, 800,000,” said Mr. Sullivan. Later in the day the Minister visited the stripper mill, where new machinery is being installed, and he also inspected the Moutoa {Swamp, which is being developed for flax growing.