AN EXPERT'S STATEMENT.

Evening Post, Volume 137, Issue CXI, 10 June 1926, Page 5

AN EXPERT'S STATEMENT.

Mr. Alfred Seifert, president of the New Zealand Flaxmillers' Association, and whose firm is stated to produco onefourth of the Dominion's fibre output, is recognised as one of the foremost authorities in New Zealand on tho hemp' business. He is accepted as an authority by the Government and writing in the "New Zealand Journal of Agriculture" as far back as February, 1921, he said: — "It is unfortunate that farmers have not yet realised what an extremely valuable plant we have in our New Zealand flax. I am confident that suitable land growing phormium systemacally will yield a greater return than when used for any other method of farming that can be carried on in a fairly large way. I am looking forward to the day when New Zealand will export an average of 50,000 tons of phormium fibre per year." Comparing the results of flax farming with that of dairying, he said:— "These figures show that if the respective produce is sold at the highest figure obtaining during the last ten years the return- per annum for 100 acres growing flax will be £.3600 if the flax is cut and delivered to a mill by the grower, while the return from 100 acres used for dairying will be £1925. The labour involved in cutting and delivering will be just about equal to that of dairying. It must be recognised that the labour of cutting and handling planted flax would be much less than doing the same work on present flax areas. When wo consider the returns from land growing flax and the little labour required to keep the crop in order, it is evident that farmers who have suitable land near a mill or railway station would be well advised to plant an area for their own .benefit as well as that of the Dominion. Before farmers can be expected to plant for commercial purposes they must naturally be satisfied that a fair prico will be paid for tho flax they grow. I have gone carefully into market prospects and have no hesitation in giving a decided opinion that hemp will continue to bo sold at a payable price in tho future." Note.—Since Mr. Seifert's statement was written, side leaf cutting has been proved to give at least 100 per cent, more leaf per acre, while the average selling price for hemp and'tow over the past six years is higher than the prices current when the article was written. Commercial planting and cultivation of flax is now a proven and sound proposition, and provides a splendid avenue for the' investment of capital in small or large amounts. It is a proposition, when profits from milling are added, that will give a return on capital at least five times greater than is possible from the best dairy land. Full details of Mr. Seifert's article and other interesting information can be obtained free of charge from Wilson Bros., Compauy Organisers, Brunswick Buildings, 174, Queen street, Auckland, also 31, Hunter street, Wellington. Prospectus also obtainable from any branch .of the Bank of New Zealand. Farmers and business men can realise the greatest profit by becoming shareholders in their own company, which opportunity is open at present. A prospectus obtainable from above addresses will supply ; you with all the information and show you the way to become a partner in the. soundest and most profitable business in the country to-day. Remember an investment will always be secured and protected by the ever-increasing value of the land under cultivation.— (Published by Arrangement.)