DOMINION PRODUCTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 77, 27 September 1941, Page 11

DOMINION PRODUCTION

NOW 400,000 A YEAR

The New Zealand flax-weaving industry was now producing 400,000 woolpacks a year, the Minister of Railways (Mr. Semple) said in the House of Representatives yesterday, replying to the comment from Mr. H. G. Dickie (National, Patea) that there was too much expenditure on the hauling of flax for the woolpack industry. This was.half of the Dominion's requirements, and areas of. land were being developed so that more flax could be grown.

Jute interests had tried to sabotage the flax industry, Mr. Semple said. The first pack produced had been deliberately spoiled by a man- who had left the country shortly afterwards, but the sheep farmers of the^Dominion had not been' put off by that first pack, which was like a "hairy goat skin." They had been loyal to their country's production and had helped the industry to succeed.

Mr. Semple gave details of the work being done to clear land for flax growing and expressed the opinion that the flax industry in New Zealand could be re-established and built up into an export industry. He had taken a New Zealand pack to Australia, and the Australian wool growers, who used millions of packs, were anxious to get the flax packs for their fine merino wool, which -was liable to be spoiled by jute fibres getting into it from.the packs.