LINEN FLAX

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 February 1941, Page 3

LINEN FLAX

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTION BIGGER EFFORT NEXT YEAR MINISTER’S tribute TO FARMERS [United Press Association] INVERCARGILL, Util February. A review of New Zealand’s effort in the production of linen flax was given to-night by the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan, who indicated that farmers might be asked to make a bigger effort next year as a result of a request by the British Government. “The request made to New Zealand to grow linen flax for the United Kingdom Government met with a very ready response from farmers in selected South Island districts,” said the Minister. “The Imperial Government shipped the necessary seed to New Zealand and most of the crops are i»w being harvested or almost ready for harvesting. Because of the exceptionally dry weather in some of the selected districts the crops are not as good as might have been expected. Nevertheless a preliminary survey of the possible yield indicates that the initial goal of 3000 tons of fibre will be realised. While some of the crops have not attained the requisite height to merit their use for fibre the seed that will be won from them will be very valuable and enable us to meet another request from the United Kingdom, that is to supply seed to the Motherland.” GREATLY EXTENDED SOWING The Minister said he appreciated very much the prompt action which had been taken by Southland farmers in the matter of planting substantial acreages with linen flax and it might be that farmers in all the districts concerned might be asked to do a little more next year because His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom had asked the New Zealand Government to plant further areas. “It will be realised, of course.” continued Mr Sullivan, “that in winning this year’s crop of linen flax one of our primary duties will be the saving of sufficient seed for the greatly extended sowing contemplated next season. Even allowing for this, however, I feel we will be able to meet this request. “The task of establishing the industry called for the utmost in co-operation and while responsibility for inaugurating and supervising the venture is entrusted to the Department of Industry and Commerce, the Treasury Department, the Agriculture Department, the Scientific and Industrial Research Department, the Railways Department and the Public Works Department have all found a place in the scheme of things. “All this Government activity would, however, have achieved little without the full support of the farming community in the areas chosen, and I am grateful indeed to the farmers for the immediate response made to the appeal. MANUFACTURE OF MACHINERY “To make all arrangements for sowing the crop, harvesting it, erecting the necessary factories and securing or manufacturing the machinery required entailed no little effort. So far as the machinery is concerned excellent service has been given by certain private concerns which not only manufacture the machinery at cost as a gesture of goodwill to the Motherland but also have effected material improvements in the operation of the machinery that will prove of incalculable value. AU this co-operation can be taken as evidence of the really earnest desire that exists in the country to do everything possible to help the Empire war effort.

“As I have indicated the extremely dry weather experienced retarded the growth of some of the crops but there will, despite this, be sufficient straw available for retting into fibre to meet New Zealand’s quota of what is an Empire effort, Australian and India also being engaged in similar work. “It is interesting to note,” the Minister said, “that what will probably prove to be the finest crop grown is that in the Otautau district. Yields in the south ai’e heavy and in the initial effort much valuable information that will be extremely useful for guidance in future has been secured. Winton. too, has experienced quite satisfactory results, as also has Blenheim. Results at Methven can be characterised as up to expectations, though dry weather retarded the growth of the crop on the plains.

“North Canterbury, for a diversity of reasons, did not experience a good season but at Washdyke results were extremely good. Some wonderfully good crops in the Tapanui district will, it is expected, yield up to three or four tons to the acre. POTENTIALITIES OF INDUSTRY “While all this activity has been undertaken as a wartime measure, sight is not being lost of the potentialities of the industry for post-war development. The manufacture of fibre will be supplemented by the manufacture of linseed oil, cattle cake and other commodities. All the necessary investigations are now being made and all preparation possible is being carried through with a view to utilising to the full the possibilities of linen flax as an addition —a very permanent and valuable addition, too—to our industries. “When it is realised that some 13,000 acres of linen flax were sown this season and that speed was the essence of the contract, it will be recognised that the achievement must rank as one of the outstanding efforts in the agricultural development in this country. Coincident with that splendid achievement, we have seen an equivalent industrial effort in the erection of factories, retting tanks, de-seeding and harvesting plants, and scutching machinery while the crop was growing. “The degree of success attained—and it has been no mean degree—represents an achievement of which we can

all be proud and the excellent response received from all concerned cannot be other than satisfactory. “It has been announced recently that a request has been received by the High Commissioner- in London, Mr Jordan, from the British Minister of Supply, Sir Andrew Duncan, for the purchase of 500 tons of linen flax seed for

i in the United Kingdom itself. This rei quest has arisen through the failure of the crop in Canada and the seed t was urgently needed. 3000 TONS OF FIBRE “It is expected that about 3000 tons - of fibre for the United Kingdom will be realised from linen flax seed sown in the selected South Island districts. The

New Zealand Government has undertaken to plant approximately 14,000 acres in linen flax and to ship to the British Government the whole of the crop after it has been scutched for subsequent manufacture into aeroplane fabric and for other war purposes.” Mr Sullivan said a similar request for increased quantities was made to other Dominions but in their case they had some experience in the cultivation of this flax. New Zealand has been only experimenting before the request was received, but notwithstanding the limited knowledge possessed, the New Zealand Government undertook as a war measure to arrange with farmers I tc cultivate and plant the area mentioned previously. “A unique position has now arisen in that, while New Zealand has been the last Dominion to plant linen flax, we have now been requested to supply to the British Government seed which was previously obtained from other Dominions which had a length of experience in the industry,” concluded the Minister. “In addition, the Minis- ! try of Supply in India also requested ! New Zealand to ship 50 tons of seed j and an inquiry has been received by a Wellington seed merchant as to the possibility of obtaining 200 tons of seed for the Iraq Government.”