PAINT FROM FLAX.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16738, 20 May 1922, Page 9

PAINT FROM FLAX.

j PRESIDENT OF INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION’S OPINION. At a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Industrial Association, held in Christchurch on Wednesday, Alay 17, 1922, the president, Air W. J. Jenkin (who is also president of the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand), was asked by a member of the executive if he had anything further to say with reference to the new industry to ■manufacture paint from flax oil proposed to be established by the Flax ByProducts Company, Limited. ALr Jenkin, in reply, said: I must say, now, I am much more favourably impressed with the value of the paint manufactured from flax than I was i when my attention was first directed j to this new’ form of manufacture. When a sample of the paint was first given | to me I had only ordinary statements i to go upon. Since then I was invited. | with others, to an inspection of the , of the product. When I went T was not quite satisfied with some of ! the information that had previously ' been imparted tp me, and. taking the opportunity afforded by tho inspection, l put some i>retty important questions to the gentleman in charge. I have had to do with paint now' for thirty odd years, and although 1 am not a practical man as far as paint manufacture is concerned, yet I know what is expected of paint, ?.nd what the public have a right to expect for their protection. As a result of the inspection I made, and the replies given to my questions, I can certainly now say that T am quite satisfied in my own mind that the paint is all that it is claimed to be. While we do not know the secret yet, lam quite sure that a good grade of paint can he produced from flax oil, and that this method of producing paint will become one of the biggest industries ever developed in ( New Zealand. The same company are also making a varnish which is a very line one indeed. They are also manu- | facturing a glue which is as good a i glue as even the French Alodal glue j which manv of i s know something about. As far as I am concerned, and ; my opinion is shared by others with whom I have discussed the subject, the i new industry is destined to be a very | important one, and will in the near ; future solve a good many of the prolij leins in connection with tho supply of j paint. Tlmre is up question but that the paint produced from flax will render long and efficient service ; all ques--1 tions T put at the inspection were irni swered, and I feel certain that the ! paint is all that is claimed for it. As j a private individual, and as president } of this association, I wish the new inI dustry every success. An exhibit of the paint and varnish j may lve inspected a... the office of Messrs 1 Anderson, Bicknell and Co., 213, Manj Chester Street, Christchurch. (j