FLAX AND DAIRYING

Evening Star, Issue 21718, 12 May 1934, Page 13

FLAX AND DAIRYING

LABOUR-USING CONTRASTS ARGUMENTS FOR FLAX GROWING I [Special to the ‘Star.’] WELLINGTON, May 11. The depressed conditions of the dairy market, and the possibilities of restricted output in the future cause attention to be turned to alternative sources of income for the dairy farmer. A report prepared by the Massey Agricultural College suggests the serious consideration of flax-growing_ as an additional supplementary activity to dairy farmers who have land suitable for the purpose. Comparisons made between butterfat production- and flax show that the labour turnover from an acre is considerably greater when the product is flax. It is also argued that prospects for New Zealand fibre are more hopeful. While the Massey College experts admit that average returns per acre are of little use in comparisons between flax-growing and dairy farming, as the two industries are conducted on different types of land, they compare the two activities in order to show-that flax results in more wages per acre. On.adjacent land in the Manawatu it is. stated that the butterfat production per acre gave a gross return of £5 6s 3fd, while, with fibre at £l3 per ton, the return per , acre was £ls 12s, which also carried a subsidy of £4 per ton from the Unemployment Board. The production cost of hemp per ton free on board is worked out at £l4 15s 6d. of which £9 8s 3d was expended in labour. The wages turnover per acre with flax amounted, in the particular mill from which the details were taken, to £ll 5s lid, which is more than double the gross return per acre, from butterfat on a dairy farm.

SMALL FARM OPPORTUNITIES. It is suggested in the report that it might be possible to link up a, number of small farms with a flax-produc-tion scheme. Employment in the "flax industry, is seasonal, and twelve to fifteen acres of flax need the work of one able-bodied man for 200 days, giving a wage return of about £l4O. “In dairying on similar land,” it is Stated “approximately one-half the number of men would be employed.” The report, suggests that if flax production was associated with small farms, the wage-earner of the family could earn about £l2O per annum in the flax mill, and with the help of his family would add to this and provide for many of the needs of the farm. FUTURE OF FLAX. In discussing the future demand for flax, it is pointed out that the total world output of hard fibres is about 450.000 tons annually, and that New Zealand in a boom year might supply 20.000 tons, though its export last year was only a thousand tons. Doubling or trebling the export would have little effect on the world total. Our, hemp competes mainly with sizal hemp produced in British East Africa, froni a plant which has a seven year rotation, and V must* be regularly harvested no matter what the demand. As a result* of low prices, many areas of sizal crop have not been replanted on dying out, “On such grounds,” is is added, “there is every reason to expect less ened production in other countries, and consequently higher prices in the next year or so”, •' ' ’ Attention is drawn to the successful Admiralty tests of New Zealand fibre, and the recent development which gives promise of producing wool packs from phofmium. It is strongly insisted that any important development on the lines suggested in the report should bo’ preceded by the establishment of a full-scale plantation to be planted with flax of one ’ good _ variety. The average flax swamp, it is pointed out, contains upwards of fifty varieties, and none of these have beem found -equal to those raised by Massey College. Uniformity in quality would thus be attained, and the plantation would be suitable for cutting by machine.