FLAXMILLING INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 255, 26 September 1929, Page 2

FLAXMILLING INDUSTRY.

EFFECT OF SUPER TAX. (From Our Own Correspondent). FOXTOX, Sept. 25. A special committee meeting of the Xew Zealand Flaxmillers’ Asssociation wae held yesterday afternoon, presided over by the president (Mr H. A. Seifert). Also present were Messrs A. Seifert, J. S. Moir, D. R. Ogilvy, W. F. Wilson, A. A. Brown, A. Fraser, B. B. Wood, W. Speirs, W. J. Ross, E. Sutton, H. Berry, Apologies for absence were received from Messrs G. Rough and C. H. Speirs. A circular letter was received from the hemp grader in reference to the bailing cf tow, stating that a complaint had been received from overseas buyers that tow balls were being encountered in Xew Zealand tow. It was decided to inform the hemp grader that the association would do all in its power to encourage millers to pack better bales. It was ala resolved to ask the chief hemp grader to supply the association with copies of all complaints received concerning Xew Zealand hemp and tow as previously arranged, and in particular the complaint referred to in the letter.

The chief business of the meeting was * discussion of the proposed super land tax. A serious view of this proposal was taken by members who voiced their opposition to the proposal in no uncertain terms. It was considered by the millem that if this proposal were given effect to it would effectively cripple the industry. It would be the mean 3 of placing an extra £1 per ton on tho cost of the manufacture of hemp which would mean that the mills ■would have to close down. Such a proposal would also prevent any further planting of flax and the establishment of flax plantations. —After a full discussion it was decided to take the necessary steps to place the matter before the Government.