H.—36

4

PRECIS OF REMARKS OF MILLOWNERS IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS. Auckland. 1. Estimate of probable output depends entirely on the price. Tow is thrown away, not realising cost of freight to market. 2. Suggests that fibre should be packed in wool-sacks to keep it clean. 3. Machine is wanted that will do away with the scutcher. 4. Says Government is crippling the industry ; should offer some inducement to mill-owners to cultivate flax. 5. The present method of cleaning fibre is suitable only for cordage. If some method of cleaning could be introduced that would turn out the fibre finer the value would be raised, and a steadier market insured. 6. Complains of the high railway-rates tor coal. 7. Flax should be cultivated. 8. The quantity of tow burnt is a serious loss. If machinery could be introduced for hackling the tow a large amount would be gained annually. 9. Government ought to encourage the industry by reducing railway-freight, and offering a bonus of £5,000 to the first miller that produced 200 tons of fibre of first quality at a cost of £10 per ton. Also, all fibre should be classed by a Government Inspector, and a charge made. 10. Improved machinery would not much increase the output, but might improve the average quality. Machinery might be introduced to catch, wash, and hank the flax after leaving the stripper, and so reduce the number of hands required at present. 11. A great pity something cannot be done with the tow. It does not pay to hackle it. If the flax was protected from cattle it would last many years. 12. Mill stopped on account of the high prices charged by Government railways, shipping companies, and middlemen, and the low price obtainable for fibre. 13. If coal was carried cheaper by the railways it would be a great help to millers; and if some industry, such as a bag-factory, could be started which would use up the tow a great saving would be effected. Thousands of pounds lost annually through the destruction of tow, which would make first-class sacks and wool-packs. 14. Highly approves of the proposed grant of £10,000 by Government for improved machinery. Grant should be on the following lines : — (1.) Machinery to decrease cost of manufacture. (2.) Machinery to improve quality of fibre (most important). (3.) Machinery to make the manufacture especially applicable to small holdings. (4.) Government should acquire the patent, and charge royalty. 15. Unless flax-lands fenced in from cattle and horses, will soon be destroyed ; and if price of dressed fibre does not improve it will not pay to fence. 16. Suggests that large scutching-mills be erected at each shipping port, where the fibre could be received from the different mills, and be scutched, classed, and baled under one supervisor, so as to produce a uniform article. 17. It would be a great advantage if leading beacons were put up at Aotea Heads (Kawhia); three or four mills would benefit by it. 18. Any machine that would clean the fibre better, and at the same time make less tow, w r ould be a great boon to millers. 19. Considers the agitation in favour of Government offering a premium for an improved machine wrong in principle. There is already sufficient inducement to effect improvement. Heartily agrees with present inquiry, which will do much good if true returns made. 20. Great room for improvement in flax-dressing machinery. 21. Government would confer a lasting benefit on the country if they would do something to encourage the planting and growing of flax. Stopped for want of raw material. 22. Would like to see Government rewards given for improvements in flax-dressing machinery, amount to be proportionate to importance of improvement. Awards might be made on the recommendation of a Flax-millers' Association, when the nature and importance of the improvement had been carefully ascertained. The effect would be to more speedily mature the perfecting of machines —one improvement leading on to another. 23. Revolving drum in use should be abolished, as it bruises and breaks the fibre, causing great waste in tow. Some sort of a revolving brush would be better. Flax wants well washing and soaking in clear water or it will never take the place of Manila hemp. 24. Supply of flax will last indefinitely if cared for. All that is required is a shallow system of drainage, besides protecting the freshly-cut flax from cattle, which readily eat the young shoots. 25. If a machine were made to strip the flax entirely of vegetable matter without injuring the fibre it would take much less time to bleach, and in that way put the flax into the market quicker. Takanaki. 26. Suggests that Government should appoint a thoroughly-qualified Inspector to class all parcels at the shipping ports; also offer a bonus for the cultivation of the raw material. 27. If a payable and continuous market could be relied on there would be extensive cultivation of flax. 28. Present machinery not good enough; impossible to dress the tips of leaves and edges well enough to compete with other fibres in the market.