NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20582, 4 December 1928, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

EXPERT EXAMINATION. CERTAIN DEFECTS DISCLOSED. (Special to Dailt Times.) WELLINGTON, December 3. Investigations by the Imperial Insti-. tute into the marketing potentialities of New Zealand flax (Phorium tenax) are reported to have revealed certain limitations and defects. This information -will enable the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to concentrate upon improving the local product with a view to giving it a greater utility. The chief defects which are said by British rope, twine, and_ net manufacturers to occur in New Zealand hemp are — (a) irregularity 'in length and the presence of '-ow; (b) insufficient cleaning and the p”escuce of coloured runners and strawy fibre; (c) uneven strength; and (d) inegub uty of colour. . Ti e defects which naturally stand in the way of greater utilisation of the New Zealand product were brought to light by the investigations of the Imperial Institute. The-objection by the British manufacturers to New Zealand Phoriujn tenax on the score of suengtb is reported to be borne out by the experience of the Plymouth Cordage Company (Mare.), which states that further uses could be found fee the fibre if it were of greater strength. Moreover, tests carried out by the department in New Zealand hre reported to show that the difference in strength be-' tvveCn flax st ripped by ordinary machinery and hand-stripped is some Co per cent. *