FLAX CULTURE

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 53

FLAX CULTURE

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY GRANTED. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 9. The Government has agreed to accede to the representations made by flaxmillers in May last for an additional grading fee of 6d per ton on flax, and that the money thus recived should be subsidised by the State £ for £, the fund thus derived to be utilised for the purpose of investigating the yellow-leaf disease. The fall in hemp produotion may be observed from the following statistics of hemp graded:—-1918-19. 27.354 tons; 1919-20, 18,173 tons--9220-21, 16,559 tons; 1921-22 11,600 tons : 1922-23, 11,591 tons. EXPERIMENTAL WORK. PALMERSTON NORTH, July 13. At a special meeting of the executive of the Flaxmillers’ Association to-day under the chairmanship of Mr A. Seifert, dissatisfaction was expressed at the Government’s decision to grant an extra duty of sixpence per ton on hemp graded the amount to be subsidised pound for pound up to £290 to assist in experimental work in flax. It was explained that the amount totally was inadequate, particularly in view of the information supplied to the department, and the inspection of the work in regard to yellow leaf disease. After a lengthy discussion a motion that they could not see their way to continue unless £IOOO were forthcoming was carried unanimously. It was also decided to get in touch with members of Parliament.