LINSEED ACREAGE

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26396, 14 April 1951, Page 5

LINSEED ACREAGE

Shortage Of Imports Threatened

INCREASED PRICE ADVOCATED

The assertion that because their incomes are at present high, farmers are not working hard, was emphatically assailed by Mr C. A. B. Pilbrow, chairman of the agriculture section of Federated Farmers, during a discussion last week among the chairmen of the agriculture sections of South Canterbury and Otago Federated Farmers, and a representative of the processing corqpany over the acreage lor linseed this coming season. Mr. Pilbrow said that the evidenee was that where there was more money to be made, farmers were doing their best to make it, in spite of taxation. The result of the discussion was that the three branches of Fererated Farmers represented, undertook to bring to the notice of their members the need for more linseed if a serious shortage of linseed oil was to be averted. An application has been made for an increase above the price of £4O a ton paid last year, and Mr W. G. Weight, who represented the profcessing company, Dominion Industries, said that he understood an increase was likely to be granted. Beside Mr Pilbrow, Mr G. J. Slater, of South Canterbury Federated Far-

mers, and Mr R. R. Thomson, of Otago Federated Farmers, attended. The meeting was held at Geraldine. Mr Weight explained that the committee in Wellington controlling the supply of linseed oil to New Zealand was seriously concerned at the possibility of a shortage this season. Harvesting difficulties made it look as though the present New Zealand crop might be below the estimated 9000 tons, and overseas sources of supply, partiftlarly India, looked very doubtful. Without linseed oil, there would be embarrassment to several industries, and maintenance work, much of it being done on farms, would have to be abandoned. Area Required Mr Weight explained that the company estimated that the area under linseed for the coming season must be doubled to make it about 40.000 aeres if a serious shortage of oil was to be avoided. The higher price last season brought the acreage up, and it seemed that a further increase would do so again. The company had already applied for an increased price, end from information he had. he thought an increase would be approved. Apart from the price, the company was anxious to do all it could tp have more linseed grown. “ I feel that an increased price alone is not enough,” said Mr Weight, “and I am here today to see if you farmers can suggest anything else that can be done. Price is not the whole story. We are willing to do all we can of course, but we will have to rely on you people.’’ Mr Pilbbow said he had two comments to make. One was that there might be a fear in the minds of some

might be a fear in the minds of some people that* linseed would camoete with wheat, though he believed himself that an extra 20,000 acres of linseed would have no noticeable effect on the acreage of wheat sown. Mr Weight said that this matter had already been discussed with the authorities, who had agreed not to oppose an increase in price. Mr Slater said linseed would assist wheat. In his district it had done so, and a lot of land brbken up from browntop and so on. had been sown to wheat following linseed. "The second comment I want to make is to emphasise the fallacy of the suggestion that farmers will not work because they are alreadv making too much money," said Mr Pilbrow. “More sheep are being run, and more land shut up for small seeds simply because there is more money in them. If you want more of anything these days, you have got to -offers higher "price for it. That applies to all things, in spite of high taxation. If you put the price, of linseed up to £5O a ton, I believe you would go a long way toward" getting the extra acreage, because it would give the growler a chance of making more money. Ninety per cent, of farmers, if they can see extra profit offering, will go for it. There is no reason why a lot more linseed should not be grown in our area. Very few farmers are growing as much as they could. The wet year should help "you a lot on heavier country, because it may yet be difficult to get in autumn crops.' Price Under Consideration Mr Weight said that there could as yet be no announcement of the price, because it was still being considered by the Government. Mr Pilbrow suggested that it would probably help if the company controlled two or three headers in his district Farmers depending on contractors found themselves in difficulties in certain seasons, and having headers available to them would be an encouragement to farmers without

headers. He would like to see the industry established firmly, because he believed that for mid-Canterbury and South Canterbury at any rate, a reliable spring crop was necessary to full arable development. Mr Thomson said he was sure that price Would be the main point in Otago and Southland. “After all, when you take up a paddock you ask yourself what will pay you best," he said. “I feel that a set price and an assured market will be a great selling point as against perhaps grass and clover for seed.” He suggested that provision of windrowers as well as headers might be a good selling point in the south. “ I think it may be difficult to raise the acreage in Otago and Southland this season, because this has been a critical year for arable work with us,’’ he said. “But we can’t stick to grass entirely. Cropping must come back.” The Federated Farmers’ representatives promised the support of their organisation to the effort to have the increased acreage grown.