THE FLAXMILLING INDUSTRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14439, 4 February 1909, Page 8

THE FLAXMILLING INDUSTRY.

GOYERXM KNT INTERVENTION SOUGHT. (Pkr United Pkkss Association.) WELLINGTON, February 3. Those engaged in the llaxmilling industry in the Dominion are not at present satisfied with their trade and its prospects, and are anxious that the Government should do something to improve it. Mr I'. 11. Robinson (secretary of the Fluxmillers' Association, Foxton) to-day waited on the Minister of Labour (the Hon. A. W. Hogg) in reference to the present state of the. industry, and after laying before the Minister certain facts in connection with it asked for Government intervention or aid. Mr ltobinson stimmitted to the Minister information to show that the present depressed condition of the industry was clearly due to a very large extent to the huge increase of the royalties that for some time past had been charged by the owners of flaxgrowing country. The royalties during the last few years have been increased at an enormous rate, with the result, that Ikmnillers in many instances were working almost at a loss, and the mills had to be closed down. There was a desire on the part of those engaged in the industry that a commission be set up and full inquiries made , into the causes of the depression in a similar way to what was proposed in reference to the sawmilling industry.

The Hon. Mr Hogg asked whether the wages which were being paid to the hands employed in the mills were, in Mr Robinson's opinion, responsible for the nnremuiierative condition of affairs.

.Mr Robinson, in reply, said that- the men were satisfied that the award made in their case was an extremely reasonable one. The -wages paid were bused on the cost of living, and the best authorities engaged in the industry admitted that the hands 4 were receiving only a reasonable amount for their services. In proof of this the speaker quoted statements made 15'y Messrs Sc.ifert and John Stansell, two of Hie best authorities in this pari of the Dominion.

The Minister, in the course of his reply, said that lie recognised the great value of the flax industry to the workers of the country, and he agreed that those who had invested largely in machinery and plant should be adequately recompensed for their e.nleuprise. It was much to be regretted that the industry for a long time past had been in anything but a flourishing condition. The. causes of the present slate of things demanded an inquiry. or legislation in the interests of the whole Dominion. It was most desirable that something should be done, and he would submit the matter to the earnest consideration of the Government as soon as possible, bccanse the present state of the labour market demanded attention, especially as it affected one of the chief industries of the Dominion. Flaxmillers employed a large number of hands, and if these were not kept fully at work the labour market must suffer. He would see without any unnecessary delay whelher something could be done to stimulate the industry.