LINEN FLAX CROP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24633, 14 June 1941, Page 12

LINEN FLAX CROP

ASSESSMENT OF- VALUES A DIFFICULT TASK PAYMENT IN A FORTNIGHT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 13. Reference was made to-day by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr D. G. Sullivan, to the delay in payments to farmers for .the linen flax crops grown , under contract to the Government last season. “ Representations have been made to me, as Minister, that farmers have not yet received payment ,fpr : ,si(jir crops. I' have fully discussed' the matter with the linen flax maflagerpeht committee,” Mr Sullivan said, “and have made detailed inquiries, into the whole position. Calculation Problem /r .- “I .am advised,” the. Minister said, “ that it had been hoped to have made payments to growers long before \this date of up to 80 per cent, of the total amount estimated to be due to each farmer, but considerable difficulty has been experienced in determinihg_ a satisfactory basis for'the calculation of this figure, and I have directed that increased staff be provided in order that the calculations which are necessary may be expedited. “As a result, I am advised that all farmers will receive a payment within the next two weeks, which will bring the total amount received by each up to a figure approximating, 80 per cent, of the amount estimated to be. finally due to him. Further, growers may expect finality in regard to the total payment due to them promptly after completion of the delivery of linen straw to the factory. ' : “It is to be regretted that farmers have been inconvenienced in regard to payment,” the Minister said, ‘ but I can give an assurance that this delay will not occur in the future. I would like farmers to take into account the fact that the growing of linen flax for seed and straw is entirely a new crop to New Zealand, and I feel certain they will realise the', difficulty of assessing the ; separate of seed and straw in one crop. No other crop grown.presents such difficulties. These problems will be entirely obviated in the 'new contract, which provides an all-in price based on the experience, which the committee has acquired during the present season. Appreciation of Response. “I sincerely hope that the delay which has occurred in making payment to farmers will not result in a lessening of their interest in the growing of this important war crop, Mr Sullivan added. " I wish .to express my appreciation of the response made, and I feel certain that any inconvenience they may have experienced will be considered as part of their contribution to the war effort, and that when considering the increased areas which the British Government has asked New Zealand to grow this year they will recognise the extreme importance of the linen flax crop to the Empire war effort” ■