LINEN FLAX

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 125, 8 March 1941, Page 2

LINEN FLAX

GOOD CROPS IN THE SOUTH. HIGH-GRADE FIBRE PRODUCED. \ (Sp.) DUNEDIN, Mch. 5. Although it was only seven months ago that the appeal for linen flax fibre was received from the British Government, such remarkable progress has been made in establishing the new industry in the Dominion that substantial quantities of high-grade fibre will be exported this year. Otago and Southland in particular have achieved outstanding results, and crops which have been harvested or are at present being pulled are for the most part extremely gratifying. There is a total of 5000 acres in linen flax in Otago and Southland, approximately 1000 acres around Balchttha, 1500 acres in the. Tapanui district, and the remaining 2500 in Southland. Pulling has been completed in South Otago, but harvesting operations are still in full swing in other areas. The crops in the Tapanui district are exceptionally good, and are probably the heaviest in the Dominion. Some of them round Ileriot and Kelso wall give a return of up to £2O an acre to the grower. The Government has guaranteed £5 an acre to the grower, but it will be only very isolated crops that will return as little as this. The average return to the farmers should be about £lO. The factories at Balclutha, Tapanui, Winton and Otautau are not yet ready for processing the crops, hut they should be in operation iii the next two or three weeks. They will employ about 50 men all tbld, and key men have been trained for each one The building of retting tanks at Balclutha and Otautau has proved a slow job, as they have to be constructed on the spot.