NEED FOR FLAX FIBRE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23858, 29 January 1943, Page 4

NEED FOR FLAX FIBRE

SUPPLIES FOR NAVAL FORCES PRODUCTION IN SOUTHLAND (P.S.S.) INVERCARGILL, January 28. The importance of a greater production of flax fibre in Southland was discussed by the Associate Minister of Supply and Munitions (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) and the chairman of the Flax Plan Industrial Committee (Mr E. J. Fawcett) and Southland flax millers,'at a meeting in Invercargill. Mr J. T. Carswell, who presided, said the meeting had been called at the request of Mr Fawcett to discuss means of increasing the production of hemp as a special war effort to enable New Zealand to supply the needs of American and Dominion naval forces in the South Pacific. Mr Hamilton said there was an urgent need for fibre for rope for war purposes. Manila had been lost and other sources of fibre had fallen into enemy hands. The United States authorities knew that fibre was available in New Zealand and had put in a large order. They could obtain some in their own country with great difficulty, and they preferred to get it from New Zealand and were almost prepared to bring labour to New Zealand to help in producing it. By commandeering all the fibre normally produced in New Zealand the special requirements could be met, but this would mean that normal industrial needs would go short, and that was not desired.

Mr Fawcett said he and Mr Hamilton had been authorised by the War Cabinet to visit Southland and make definite arrangements with the millers to secure the additional fibre required. Anything within reason could be fixed up on the spot. There was an urgent demand for the fibre, and the War Cabinet was anxious to meet the demand. The Army had been instructed to supply trucks and equiument if (Ivin? squads were required to be sent out to collect the flax. The principal question was whether sufficient green flax was available in the district. If it was the authorities wanted the mills to work longer hours, if necessary, to secure a greater output.