THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14199, 26 August 1919, Page 3

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

burden gf high freights. Mr W. H. Field, M.P., has written to the Prime Minister as follows: “For some time past, during your absence, I have been in communication with the Government, strongly urging that steps should be taken to save our one particu-lar-industry, the flaxmilling one, from extinction, 'threatened as the result of the terrific freights on hemp. “The freight has increased since the beginning of the war from £3 o/ to £-.0 per ton on lieinp,| and to £32 pei ton. on tow. . “In the Man aw 7 at u district some minors are already destroying their Hax, and devoting the land to agricultural purposes. In the case of one firm, tins is being done over a large area, I bcliovo, of sonic thousands of acres,, which up till recently was growing some magnificent flax. It is certain that something must be done, and at once, to secure a reduction of freights, if the industry is to have a chance of survival. .. . Though the increase of freight is the main reason, the difficulties of the miller have been largely augmented by the increased price of laud, and of labour. It would be a thousand pities if the hemp industry were to disappear from our midst, for, given a fair chance, and a reasonably satisfactorv market, flax is undoubtedly the best and most profitable crop which can be grown on land which suits it.“