FALSE PACKING OF FLAX.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2236, 31 October 1908, Page 2

FALSE PACKING OF FLAX.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST EXPORTERS.

LAXITY OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

[SmsciAii TO “Times.”]

WELLINGTON, Oct. 29. ■ This morning the New ' ijealand “Times” publishes the following in 'ts editorial columns: “The Government would do well to provide the Department of Agriculture with a strong electric battery to galvanize it into action. On the 13th July last a conference was hold between representatives of the Department, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and the Harbor Board to facilitate the grading of tow for foreign export. It was annohnced shortly afterwards that arrangements had been completed. Now a- local firm has received a letter from London merchants stating that they are “experiencing the greatest difficulty on account of the inferiority of quality of shipments of New Zealand tow.” It is not so much' a question of the tow being inferior, but more a question of false packing, a large percentage of sawdust, and other foreign material being included in tho hales; and it is a downright disgrace that the packers should resort to this, because it does harm to the Dominion in general 1 . It might have been thought that when this matter was brought under the notice of the Agricultural Department. it would have been quick to act, but apparently it is completely immersed in red tape. The reply received om the 27th inst. (to a letter sent on the 21st) from Mr John D. Ritchie., secretary of the Department, was as follows : ‘I have the honor to inform you that the regulation governing the grading of tow cannot he brought into force until the Ist January, 1909.’ In the meantime rogues will go on sending sawdust and other foreign material*to England as tow, and the Dominion’s interests will he allowed to take care of themselves. It seems time that there was a shaking amongst the dry bones of the Agricultural Department.” Apropos of the matter the special correspondent of the “Post” at Palmerston North, wires as follows: “A letter has been received by Mr P. Hennessy, of Fox ton, from Lindaner and Co., London merchants, complaining of the inferiority of New Zealand tow. They say it is not a question of quality of the tow itself, hut of false packing, a large percentage of sawdust and other foreign material being included. The firm characterise the action of packers as a. downright disgrace, and say they are bringing the matter before the Government. They decidedly object to pay £3 10s a ton freight on worthless material. ”