PRODUCTS PROM FLAX.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12569, 9 February 1934, Page 3

PRODUCTS PROM FLAX.

examining new process. REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT. Recent advances in the method of preparing cellulose pulp from flax woiv described to the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, at Mercer, by representatives of New Zealand Pulping Mills. Ltd. In introducing the Minister to the representatives of the company. Mr J. N. Massey, M.P., said there were many thousands of acres of land in the Waikato that could not be well enough drained for utilisation as land lor settlement, but which was producing excellent flax. Jhe value of a new export indusr.v t (> New Zealand at present would he very appreciable, and he hoped the Government would assist by accepting the invitation to investigate the process. Congratulating the company on setting out to found a new industry for the Dominion, Mr Ransom be was quite certain Dr. E. Marsden, secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, would pleased to make the requested investigation. When he saw what the Maoris were able to make from flax, without the aid of science, he appreciated that the application of scientific knowledge could greatly widen the field of uses lor flax. The Dominion had been too prone in the past to rely on two or three major exports, such as butter, wool and meat, and the diversification of its export trade was very desirable.