FLAX INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23284, 1 March 1939, Page 13

FLAX INDUSTRY

NEW POSSIBILITIES USE FOR TEXTILES ENGLISH EXPERT'S OPINION SUITABILITY OF FIBRE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The possibilities of rehabilitation of the New Zealand flax industry and even for the establishment of a secondary industry of vital importance to the Dominion were suggested in a statement by Mr. John Redshaw, of Bradford, before his departure from Wellington by the Awatea to-night after a holiday visit. His statement amounted to a conviction that soft flax fibre could be carded and spun into a yarn suitable for the manufacture of textiles. Mr. Redshaw has a lifetime experience of the woollen industry. He is well-known throughout the world as designev of the endless tape condenser and wool carding machine used in all countries where wool is woven and recognised as guaranteeing regular and even yarn.

Consistency of Wool "I have had submitted to me by a group in New Zealand samples of soft fibre prepared by a simple process from New Zealand flax," said Mr. Redshaw. "These samples have the consistency of wool. From my knowledge of carding and spinning machinery I can guarantee that this fibre can be carded and spun into yarn for textile manufacture. With experimentation the thickness and coarseness of yarn best produced from the fibre could be ascertained. "Judging from the samples I would say there is an opening for New Zealand in the textile industry. If I had not by experience sensitive fingers to tell the difference, I would have thought the fibre was wool." Not Personally Concerned Mr. Redshaw emphasised that he had no personal interest in the activities of the New Zealand group. He was merely concerned in passing opinion on the fibre samples submitted to him. The first invention patented in New Zealand; according to the records, was a flax-dressing machine. No improved process has since been introduced, although about 60 years have elapsed. Coarse fibre of varying quality has been produced for cordage purposes only. It has long been held by many interested parties that the only hope for tbo Dominion's flax industry lies in the transfer of production from cordage to textile purposes. At present New Zealand flax appears to compete unfavourably with sisal and Manila hemp.