LINEN FLAX PRODUCTION

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1943, Page 2

LINEN FLAX PRODUCTION

USE OF BY-PRODUCTS. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 19. Sales of 1917 tons of tow, valued at £267,200, had been made to the United Kingdom to the end of December, seed valued at £75,270 had been exported to the same date, and sales of by-products had brought in £45,000 said the Minister o f Supply (Mr. Sullivan) in a review, this morning of the progress in linen flax development. The development of the linen ilax industry on a major scale represents an outstanding achievement and has provided a most valuable addition to the Dominion’s productive resources for war purposes,” continued the Minister-.. “Apart, however, from the provision of fibre to the United Kingdom for the manufacture of aeroplane fabric, the establishment of the industry has served to meet some very vital needs in other New Zealand industries. It may not generally be known, for example, that there would not have been sufficient seaming twine for sewing sacks, if we had not grown linen flax here, and what, that would have meant to the farmer can well be imagined. me fibrous plaster industry has been able to secure essential raw material, because tow from flax has been found suitable as reinforcing material, m the manufacture of fibrous plaster. Chaff ground to line meal has provided a new avenue of food for stock. A factory for production of linseed oil and cattle-cake will commence operations within the next, few months in Dunedin, and will provide essential products to our farming and manufacturing industries. m establish the industry the Govern-; ment has invested some' £667,000 in land, plant, and buildings. The sales of by-products for use as raw materials for other industries in,, the Dominion are growing apace. These include tow and the lower grades of fibre for seaming twine, chaff, tow for fibrous plasterers etc. of an approximate value of £45,000. In this respect, a further recent development has been the utilisation of fluff from factories for use in filters of producer gas units, and as filler in the manufacture of soft toys. Some indication of the' scope of the work can be gained when it is realised that m just over two years, we have erected seventeen factories. The entire story is one of achievement, and there is ground for satisfaction that New Zealand has been able materially to assist the United Kingdom As a phase of our contribution to the battle of supplies, the production of linen llax ranks high in relative value and the work undertaken merits the highest commendation for our farmers and all others concerned.”