THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 78, 16 March 1923, Page 4

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

RESEARCH WORK IN MANAWATU Palmerston N„ March 16. The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Nosworthy. and several members'of Parliament, together with over 50 representatives of business firms and institutions interested, accepted an invitation to the Flaxmillers’ Association to be present at the Miranui area yesterday on an inspection of research work to improve the industry and eradicate the yellow leaf disease. The nursery containing young plants of every variety was visited, and the methods of tli e testing plant were explained. The party visited the flax nelds and witnessed the new methods of cutting by diamond shape and matured leaves only. This is said to prevent damage to the roots, resulting in a bigger yield and strengthening the crops, giving greater resistance to the blight. The Minister was impressed. At a luncheon he expressed the Goveniment’s interest and promised to assist all he possibly could, but he explained the financial difficulties of the Government. The sum of £530 had been spent on research work so far, including a State grant of £l5O. The feeling of the millers is optim-; istic, and they are confident the industry will soon be restored to its former flourishing condition as the result of experiments.