LINEN FLAX

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25053, 17 November 1944, Page 7

LINEN FLAX

POST-WAR PROSPECTS

SMALL INDUSTRY POSSIBLE I rospects of linen flax production as a permanent post-war industry in New Zealand are discussed by the director of linen flax, Mr J. W. Haclfield, in a ieport circulated by the Department of Industries nnd Commerce. Regarding war production, the director states that the British Ministry of Supply has indicated that it would be prepared to take the risk of some decline in New Zealand acreage rather than increase the present cost, as the crisis im S < U !?L 0S 13 " ow ens '»g- Whether the 1»44-4o crop is to be the last grown under the agreement with Britain may not be known until the cessation of hostilities with Germany, but in any ovent, the director considers, it is the duty of New Zealand to produce as much crop as possible this season. Retaining Some Factories So far as a post-war industry is concerned, the only hope entertained has neon to produce sufficient fibre for New Zealand's internal requirements, without any anticipation of a permanent export trade. If it is possible to retain six or seven factories in production for this purpose a very useful objective will have been attained. Two firms recently were granted licences to import and operate flax spinning machinery in New Zealand, and it can be anticipated that there will develop a weaving industry to utilise the yarns from the spinning mills in the manufacture of canvases, fire hose and other heavy textiles. The main point is whether such an industry devoted to spinning will draw its supplies of raw fibre from overseas or from New Zealand. This is a matter of Government policy. The Question o! Price As far as can be judged, there will be a substantial difference between the cost of New Zealand fibre and the price of similar fibre lauded here when trade has resumed its normal level. It is possible, however, that there will bo a period of high prices for some years, during which the New Zealand industry would have an opportunity of reducing the cost of its fibre. In the director's opinion, this is worth attempting, and there are reasons for supposing that it is not altogether impossible, although the mass-production methods used to meet war needs are not a good training for the more careful work that will be essential if the industry is to survive. The main drive must be in the direction of better crops and better handling in both field and factory, but growing and harvesting offer more scope tor improvement than factory operations. Linen flax production in this country, the director concludes, is a war industry which had to be expanded regardless of financial consequences. If out of it a small permanent peace-time industry can be built up, efforts in that direction will not have been in vain.

CADET TROPHIES AUCKLAND DISTRICT SUCCESS OF WHANGAREI The Whangarei High School has been awarded the Daughters of the Empire Cup for the year 1944-45. The cup is completed for annually by secondary school cadet units in the Northern Military District, and is awarded to the best one. Weapon training, drill, general efficiency and standard of training, are the subjects examined by the inspecting officers. One school from each area in the district is selected and these four compete for final choice. The schools representing the areas this year were:— Auckland area, Auckland Grammar School, which won the cup last year; Paeroa area, Tauranga High School; Whangarei area, Whangarei High School; Hamilton area. Taumarunui District High School. The cup was originally presented by the Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire for competition among cadet contingents which visited Canada in 1912. It was then won by New Zealand. It is highly prized among secondary school cadet units and usually the standard reached by the successful school is very high. The officer commanding the Northern Military District, Major-Gen-eral P. H. Bell, said yesterday that the standard this year was very good. Another trophy which has been awarded is the Kate McCosh Clark Cup for the best trained light machine-gun unit in the district. Selected schools from the four areas competed and the trophy was won by King's College. Last year's winner was the Auckland Grammar School. CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK KEEN INTEREST SHOWN Large numbers of children have visited branch libraries in the Auckland area during children's book week, which will end tomorrow. The children have not only visited libraries as members of organised school parties, but also voluntarily, and the numbers present have frequently been so large that difficulty has been experienced in accommodating them. The city librarian. Mr J. Barr. said yesterday that the interest shown was greater than was anticipated, and in one branch library alono "there had been 100 new enrolments of children in the first three days of the week. Entries for the various competitions held were numerous and the work of the children was of a high standard. Considerable effort on the part or librarians must have been necessary to produce the many attractive and interesting displays and other features arranged at the libraries and the results reflect credit on their interest and initiative. Visitors during the week havo praised the exhibitions highly.

SONS OF WAR WIDOWS ASSISTANCE BY HERITAGE (,0.C.) HAMILTON, Thursday In addressing the first annual meeting of Heritage (Hamilton), the national president, Mr Justice Smith, commented that the Hamilton movement appeared to have been founded on sound lines, and therefore deserved to develop. He thought that an endowment fund might have to be established to equi P sons of war widows to iace lire in about ten years as their lathers wou d have equipped them. Jfc would probably be then that the greatest responsibilities would fall upon the Heritage movemThe speaker outlined the work accomplished by the movement in Wellington and other large centres, where it aimed at assisting mothers by taking the place of the boys' dead fathers as fat L possible. He said he was delighted to hear of the work done by the Bryant House trustees to assist Heritage in triving holidays by the sea to the children of war widows. The following officers we re elected -Presirfeil Mr H D. Caro; vice-presidents, Messrs \ T Fow and D. A. Sellar; executive, Messrs W Fraser F N R Dowiftrd. J. E Marnane. n' If' w K. McCoskrio. E. G. Scrimshaw and D. A. Sellar; secretary; Mr G. H. Bindon.