LINEN FLAX

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 187, 22 May 1941, Page 2

LINEN FLAX

HIGHER PRICES AND BONUSES. NO MINIMUM GUARANTEE. (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The terms of the 1941-42 linen flax contract between the Government ami farmers were announced yesterday. The contract is on an almost new basis. No minimum guarantee will be given this year, but prices and bonuses will be higher. ■ According to a statement fj?om the Department of Agriculture, Christchurch, yesterday, acreages desired in various centres in the Canterbury district are:—Oxford 1500, Waikuku 600, Leeston 600, Methven 2000; Waslidyke 2000, Makikihi 2000. A summary giving main conditions has been prepared by the department. According to this summary, Seed for sowing will be provided (ex factory cr railway siding nearest to the grower) at 25s per cwt., sacks in. At the inspection by a representative of the linen flax organisation before harvesting, determination of suitability for processing into fibre will be based on 1 length of fibre (minimum 20 inches), freedom from weeds, and general quality. Where a crop is rejected for fibre purposes the grower may harvest for seed, which will be paid for at the rate of £2O a. ton (machine-dressed weight) delivered to factory or nearest station. The Crown, in undertaking the pulling of fit areas accepted for fibre production, will provide the full pulling service at 30s an acre of crop pulled, while if a farmer undertakes to arrange the pulling of 125 acres, a puller will ho hired to him and serviced with spare parts at 10s an acre. Arrangements have also been made for assess-, ing portions of crops unpulled (if more than 5 per cent.) through bad operation of the machine, and for crediting the farmer accordingly (where the pulling is undertaken by the linen flax section). Under Seeded linen flax straw of procossablo quality will be purchased at a minimum rate of £6 a ton. In addition, bonuses will be determined at field inspection to a maximum of 30s a ton, for straw quality, fibre content, and freedom from weeds; 20s a ton, for length of fibre, 2s an inch (up to 30 inches); 10s a ton of straw, for seed yield. A further bonus of up to 30s a ton will be declared on delivery for material free from weathering, well handled, and otherwise in good condition. Produce badly impaired through carelessness may, however, be degraded below inspection valuation. An estimate of the weight of straw stacked on the farm will be made as soon as possible after stacking, and the grower will then be paid an amount equivalent of 50 per cent, of the total value of the estimated weight of straw in stack, based on valuation at the inspection. The balance, with any bonus due, Avill be paid after delivery of the crop. Full payment for straw delivered to the factory will be made after delivery of the crop. To compensate the grower for storage, risk of damage, and delay in pay

ment, there will be added to all payments due on or after March 1 in Canterbury and Marlborough, and April 1 in Otago and Southland (or on the first of the month after stacking, whichever is l later), an increment of 2s' per cent, a month of the . initial amount due. “A PROFITABLE ENTERPRISE." - MINISTER’S APPEAL TO FARMERS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 21. . Recalling his previous announcement : that, in response to the British Government’s requests for more linen fibre, New Zealand’s national objective is to grow 25,006 acres of linen flax in this country in the coming season, the. Minister for Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G.' Sullivan) to-day expressed his confidence that farmers in suitabto districts ' would seize this opportunity of helping Britain in a specific way, although it was no easy undertaking to grow the increased acreage required.; Mr Sullivan summarised the main items in the contract to be entered into by the New Zealand Government and farmers growing linen flax in the 194142 season, and said the terms of the contract differed in one or two respects from last year’s. (The terms of the contract were announced in Christchurch • yesterday by the Depai'tment of Agriculture.] “The growing of high quality linen flax is likely to bo a profitable enterprise on many farms this year. This will no doubt provide many ’farmers with an added incentive to grow the crop in view of the uncertainty of the meat position,” said Mr Sullivan.