NEW CONDITIONS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 119, 22 May 1941, Page 4

NEW CONDITIONS

LINEN FLAX INDUSTRY 25,000 ACRES THIS SEASON (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Recalling a previous announcement that iu response to bhe British Government's request for more linen fibre, Now Zealand's national objective is to grow. 25,000 acres of linen flax in the coming season, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. I). G. Sullivan, today expressed his confidence that farmers in suitable districts would seize the opportunity of helping Britain in a specific way, although it was no easy undertaking to fjrow the increased acreage'required. Mr. SuUlvan said the contract. tft. be entered Into by the New Zealand Government-fend fanners growing linen flax in the 1941-4*-.eejiKion differed in one or two respects from "All contract areas must be approveAo'-Ws en officer of the Department of Agrieuittu*,?*; he said. Prices and bonuses will be hierneitS'tagl year, but no minimum guarantee per aei&*WJP: be given growers, as last year's experience- '•'ifigfcbled risks as to the suitability of and the profitability of the new crbj*-''#»>?»(■ largely eliminated. ■".' ';."*'

"Seed for sowing will be provided Slid will be a first charge agninst the farmer's account, but will be written off in the event of a crop failure due to causes other than the grower's negligence. Crops will be inspected by a representative of the Linen Flax Organisation prior to harvesting to determine their suitability for processing into linen flax fibre.

"Where a crop is rejected Tor fibre purposes the grower may harvest it tor seed, which will be paid for at the rate ot £20 a ton on machinertressed weight." said the Minister. "Undeseeded linen flax straw of processable quality will be purchased at a minimum rats of £6 a ton. In addition bonuses to the above rate will be determined at the field inspection for straw quality, fibre content, freedom from weeds, length of fibre and seed yield."

Last year 14.000 acres were sown in linen flax. The minimum payment was £5 an acre. Recently it was announced that expansion Involved additional capital of £588.000. So far £393,000 has been expended to establish the industry as a war aid to Britain.