THE FLAX INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8264, 24 May 1890, Page 6

THE FLAX INDUSTRY

MEETING OF WAIKATO MILL-OWNERS. [EY TF.LEGBA.rH. — OWN COKRF.SPOMDKKT.] Hamilton, Friday. At the meeting of flaxmill owners called by Mr. W. A. Graham, to-day, there were present the following representatives —Messrs. Coates, Langley, Brookes, Metcalf, Preston, and Graham (in the chair). The Chairman said that the time had come whan they most form an Association, which sliall guarantee a, regular supply and a regular quality. Their object should be to make it both a profitable and a permanent- industry. Mr. Langlev said two years would see the majority of the mills cut out of flax; probably the same would be the case at Hamilton. It took from £500 to £1000 to start an efficient mill ; that being the case, they mnst endeavour to make the industry a permanent one by the careful and systematic working of the flax fields. The meeting was favourable to the classification of flax by an Association in Auckland. The same care should be taken to classify exported flax as was done in the case of wool. Mr. Metcalf thought the flax might as well be classified at home!as here, and the bales of flax be opened before the buyer at home. The difficulty of classification was pointed out by Mr. Metcalf. Mr. Langley said the objection to not classifying was this, that 011 the receipt of the flax at home the price offered was sure to be fixed upon the worst bale in the lot. One bale in a ton opened should lie sufficient guarantee. Mr. Brookes proposed, "That an association of flaxmillers be formed for the purpose of classifying the flax on the foreign market, the details of management to Ix; left to such association." Mr. Coates seconded the resolution. Mr. Langley said he did not suppose all the millowners in the district would join, but one thing was certain, that the flax of those who did join, accredited by the brand of the association, would command the best price upon the market. The resolution was carried. A resolution was also carried that a committee be formed, consisting of two members from the district of Raglan, Upper and Lower Waikato, and Te Aroha, to draw up a programme, and submit it to the next meeting. Messrs. Coates and Brookes were nominated to represent Upper Waikato on the said committee, Messrs. Adams and Gibbons for Te Aroha, Messrs. Wallis and Langley for Raglan, leaving the Lower Waikato district to nominate two representatives. Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, and to Mr. Langley for his attendance. Mr. Langley, in thanking the meeting, wished it to be clearly understood that the action he had taken throughout had been solely in the interests of the flax industry.