Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

The committee discussed available supplies of various fibres from the Empire. Paper on the crossing of New Zealand Phormium varieties circulated to committee. Further notes on flax as follows:

"The Chairman reviewed the industry in New Zealand. The industry had been saved only by the Government using the entire supplies to make sacks. If New Zealand could grow the best strains in quantity it would be a most useful fibre. Variety 56 was a very promising fibre. Sir Geoffrey Evans said he thought the fibre was far too good for sacking. The Chairman replied that for sacking jute would invariably win out against Phormium or any other fibre. The difficulty with Phormium was that there was no suitable machinery for treating it. At present there is a considerable waste and they do not get the best fibre. They now have a new machine which he believed was more promising. Mr Hawkins said that he did not entirely agree that Phormium was too good for sack-making. On the whole the Phormium he had seen as grown in South Africa had only three-quarters the strength of sisal. He considered the best outlet might be for a fibre spun very much finer than sisal, mid-way between hard and soft. Mr Clay asked if Phormium could be grown in St Helena and the Chairman said it was a distinct possibility there. It would be worthwhile to get new strains, and he advised Mr. Clay to get in touch with the Government of New Zealand."