PRODUCING LINEN FLAX

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 10

PRODUCING LINEN FLAX

Ready Response Made MINISTER’S TRIBUTE TO FARMERS Bigger Effort Next Year (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL. Feb. 11. A review of New Zealand s effort in the production of linen llax was given tonight by the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, who indie,-tied that fanners might lie asked to make a bigger effort next year as a result of a request by the British Government. “The request made Io New Zealand to grow linen flax for the United Kingdom Government met with a very ready response from farmers in selected South Island districts,” said the Minister. “The Imjierial Government, shipped the necessary seed to New Zealand and most of the crops are now being harvested or almost ready for harvesting. Because of the exceptionally dry weather in some of the selected districts the crops are not as good as might have been expected. Nevertheless a preliminary survey of the possible yield indicates that the initial goal of 301)0 tons of fibre will he realized. While some of the crops have not attained lhe requisite height to merit their use for fibre the seed that will he won from them will be very valuable and enable ns to meet another request froth the United Kingdom. that is to supply seed to the Motherland.” Greatly Extended Sowing. The Minister said he appreciated very much the prompt, action which had been taken by Southland farmers in the matter of planting substantial acreages with linen flax and it might be that farmers in all the districts concerned might' lie asked to do a little more next year because His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom had asked the New Zealand Government to plant further areas. “It will be realized, of course,” continued Mr. Sullivan, “that, in winning this year’s crop of linen flax one of our primary duties will he the saving of sufficient seed for rhe greatly extended sowing contemplated next season. Even allowing for this, however, I feel we will be aide to meet this request. “The .task of establishing the industry called for the utmost in co-operation and while responsibility for inaugurating and supervising the venture is entrusted to the Department, of Industries and Commerce, the Treasury Department. the Agriculture Department, the Scientific and Industrial Research Department, the Railways Department and the Public Works Department have all found a place in 'the scheme of things, “All .this Governmental activity would, however, have achieved little without the full support of the farming community in the areas chosen, and I am grateful indeed to the farmers for the immediate response made to the appeal. Manufacture of Machinery. “To make all arrangements for sowing the crop, harvesting it. erecting the necessary factories ami securing or manufacturing (he machinery required entailed no little effort. So far as the machinery is concerned excellent service lias been given by certain private concerns which not only manufacture the machinery at cost as a gesture of goodwill to the Motherland but also have effected material improvements in the operation of the machinery that will prove of. incalculable value. All this co-operation can be taken as evidence of the really earnest desire that exists in the country to do everything possible to help the Empire war effort. "As I have indicated the extremely dry weather experienced retarded the growth of some of the crops but there will, despite this, tie sufficient straw available for retting into fibre to meet New Zealand’s quota of what is an Empire effort. Australia and India also being engaged in similar work. “It is interesting to note.” the Minister said, "that what will probably prove to he the finest crop grown is that in the Otaiitan district. Yields in the south are heavy and in the initial effort much valuable information that will he extremely useful for guidance in future has been secured. Winton, too. has experienced quite satisfactory results, as also has Blenheim. Results at Methven can be characterized as up to expectations. I hough dry weather retarded the growth of the crop on the plains. “North Canterbury, for a diversity of reasons, did not experience a good season but at Washdyke results were extremely good. Some wonderfully good crops in the Tapanui district will, it is expected, yield up to three or four tons to the acre. Potentialities of Industry* “While all this activity lias been undertaken as a wartime measure, sight is not being lost of the potentialities of rhe industry for post-war development. The manufacture of fibre will be supplemented by rhe manufacture of linseed oil. cattle cake and other commodities. All the necessary investigations are now being made and all preparation possible is being carried through wilh a view lo utilizing Io the full the possibilities of linen flax as an addition —a very permanent and valuable addition, too—lo our industries. "When it is realized that some 13.000 acres of linen flax were sown this season and that speed was the essence of the contract, it will be recognized (htit the achievement must rank as one of the outstanding efforts in the agri cultural development in this country. Coincident with that splendid achievement. we have seen an equivalent industrial effort in the erection of factories, retting tanks, de-seeding and harvesting plants, and scutching machinery while the crop was growing. “The degree of success attained — and it has been no mean degree—represents an achievement, of which we can all be proud and the excellent response received from all concerned cannot be other than satisfactory. "It has been announced recently that a request has been received by Ihe High Commissioner in London. Mr. .lordan. from the British Minister of Supply. Sir Andrew Duncan, for Ihe purchase of 50(1 tons of linen tlax seed for sowing a portion of next year’s crop in the United Kingdom itself. This request has arisen through the failure of the crop in Canada and Ihe seed was urgently needed. 3(100 Tons of Fibre. “It is expected that about 3000 tons of fibre for the United Kingdom will be realized from linen flax seed sown in the selected South Island districts. The New Zealand Government has undertaken to plant approximately 14.000 acres in linen llax and to ship lo the British Government the whole of the crop after il bad been scutched for subsequent manufacture into aeroplane fabric and for other war purposes." Mr. Sullivan said a similar request

for increased quantities was made to other Dominions but in their case they had some experience in the cultivation of tliis flux. New Zealand had been only experinienling before the reqin'St was received, tint notwithstanding Hie limited knowledge possessed, the New Zealand Government nnilerlook ns a war measure to arrange wilh farmers lo cultivate ami plant the area mentioned previously. “A unique position has now arisen iu I lull, while New Zealand has been the last Dominion to plant linen flax, we have now been requested to supply to the British Government, seed which was previously obtained from other Dominions which had a length of experience in the industry.” concluded lhe Minister. "In addition, the Ministry of Supply iu India also requested New Zealand lo ship 50 lons of seed mid an inquiry Ims been received by n Wellington seed merchant as lo the possibility of obtaining 200 ions of seed for lhe Iraq Government.”