LINEN FLAX

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 169, 17 June 1940, Page 2

LINEN FLAX

DOMINION DEVELOPMENT. IMPORTANT ACQUISITION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 16. The investigations made earlier in connection witn the development ol the linen flax industry in New Zealand, which will ilxnd xlie country in good stead in view of the arrangements now made to plant between 14,500 and 15,000 acres in the South island in linen flax to make vital supplies available to Britain, were reviewed to-day by Hon. D. G. Sullivan. The Minister said the research already carried out by the Scientific and Industrial Research Department would be valuable in the’ present time of crisis, and the Government ivas prepared to go ahead with confidence to undertake a task that otherwise would have presented the utmost difficulty. It had been amply proved that good crops could be grown in New Zealand, arid fibre experts in Ireland had pronounced the New Zealand products satisfactory. In view of the success or the New Zealand attempts at production and the increased tension in European relations, it was anticipated that the time might arrive when New Zealand would be called upon to play a part in helping Britain to procure her requirements of fibre. An officer was despatched overseas to study the linen flax problems, and at the same time steps were taken to establish one unit- in New Zealand as a preliminary to commercial development. The necessary machinery was purchased and shipped to New Zealand during the early months. They had, therefore, not only first-hand information in regard to processing, but also machinery for one. unit. Planting would be done in specified areas and the processing machinery be established at various centres. , . It was proposed to have machinery units at Waikuku, Oust, Leeston Balclutha, Tapanui, Winton, Blenheim, and probably one m the Ashbiirton ,Countv and two in South Canterbury. At present farmers were being asked to arrange their cropping round these units, and everything would be done systematically. • The machinery requirements would be large but not complicated. They already possessed in New Zealand one complete set of all harvesting and processing machinery required, which could be readily copied. Canterbury would figure substantially in the enterprise, and piacticallv the : whole of the machinciy would be made in New Zealand.