LINEN FLAX INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 23620, 5 July 1940, Page 4

LINEN FLAX INDUSTRY

SPLENDID SOUTH ISLAND RESPONSE FARMERS MAKE 16,000 ACMES AVAILABLE [Pee United Press Association.l WELLINGTON, July 4. South Island .farmers have more than met the request of tho Government to put aside 15,000 acres for the growing of linen flax, which is being undertaken following representations recently made by the British Government. Although some 16,000 acres have been made available, and contracts are now being, forwarded to the growers for their signatures. “ Indeed, we are embarrassed by tho response, for the acreage is greater than we really require, and for which we have seed,” said Mr R. B. Tennent, Director of Primary Production, in an interview to-day. The contract undertakes that the Government will grow linen, flax for the farmers. The price paid to the farmer for the straw from which the seed has been taken is £4 5s a ton. The price which will,be paid for the seed is, for crops accepted, £25 a ton; for crops rejected, £35 a ton. This appeared to be anomalous, Air Tennent remarked, hut where a crop was rejected, the farmer had to harvest, thresh, and dress the seed and deliver the seed into store at his own cost, while for accepted crop, the Government undertook to do the harvesting, threshing, seed-dressing, and delivery. Bonuses will be given for quality crops. For crops of over the standard length of 30in, the maximum bonus of 5s an acre will be paid. A bonus of 5s will also be given for freedom from weeds, and a further 5s for quality of straw, making a total bonus of los. An essential point made by Air Tennent was that the Government will undertake to pull and thresh the crops, thus saving the farmer the most laborious part of growing linen flax. As an added incentive, a minimum guarantee of £5 'an acre will be given to every farmer, even if his crop is a complete failure due to drought, fire, flood, or any other reason. 'This should more than cover the cost of production, Mr Tennent said.