THE FLAX INDUSTRY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2530, 17 June 1909, Page 5

THE FLAX INDUSTRY

THE PRESENT UNSATISFACTORY POSITION. [Per Press association^ PALMERSTON N.. June 16. The Manawatu Daily _ Times states that at a meeting of directors of ths A. nd L. Seifert Flax-dressing Company, Ltd., owners of the world’s biggest flaxmilling plant, oi Makeruia, nave, after considering the whole situation,- decided tc send Mr Alfred Seifert, managing director, to the Philippine islands to investigate the ,isai industry, venieh within fh© xast lew ®ear3 oa* assumed .iaimense The oemuanv "as decided to adopt tnis on account of the very tmsatistii-? ox tr?: f. ;•..»• mi Uvdf industry." "Tne lines is lew vet the quantity produced of sisal and Manila 3>.©nis 'iC be on the increase. Last Week, according to the Agent-General’s cable the shipment of- Manilla was 39.900 bales, a record. The result of Mr Seifert’s investigation will decide whether it is worth while persevering in this industry. The position, as far) as the millers are concerned is (th© “Times” is informed) quite clear. The cost of production is regulated by the Arbitration Court, and tlie land and* industry is subject to taxation, which the millers regard as an unjust handicap,, so if Manila and sisal can be produced at a profit at the present prices or lower, it will be necessary to consider whether it is worth while continuing in ’the flax industry.