THE FIBRE INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 23

THE FIBRE INDUSTRY.

PALMERSTON N., March 2. Owing to the continued depression in the prioe of fibre (it was down to £21 10s yesterday, with no sign of recovery) some mills are shutting down, and others talk of doing SO. Were this movement to be participated in by the large mills it would be disastrous to tne future of the industry and the men Engaged in it. The employers wish to pecure something like a sliding scale from ithe men, and a conference between employers, and employees is to take place at JFoxton this week. PALMERSTON JN., March 6. A meeting was held at Foxron last night at the instigation of Mr Ross and one or two other flaxmill owners, with the avowed purpose of arranging a conference with -Jaaxmill employees with the idea of making arrangements with the men to work for a lower wage on account of the low price ruling for flax, the conveners considering that at present rates the mills were working at a loss. The meeting was evidently premature, the conveners having no definite proposals to set before the c-ro-wd of employees present, and after a lot of aimless cHsoussion, during which numerous questions were asked by the men as to the main idea of the conveners, the meeting terminated without definite action. Mr JRoss, replying to a question, absolutely refused to permit his books to be examined by a public accountant. Prominent millers , in the- district consider the meeting a blunder.