LINEN FLAX ON CITY RESERVES

Southland Times, Issue 24162, 26 June 1940, Page 4

LINEN FLAX ON CITY RESERVES

OFFER TO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The possibility of the city reserves being used for growing linen flax was mentioned at the meeting of the Invercargill City Council last night by Cr R. T. Parsons. The fanners in the Winton district were not responding well to the appeal to grow flax, he said. The council had suitable areas which could be used for the purpose and it would be serving the Empire if it ploughed up reserves for the growing of the flax.

Cr E. J. McLauchlari said the superintendent of reserves (Mr B. P. Mansfield) had had interviews with officers of the Department of Agriculture and had supplied them with full information of the resources of the department if the Government requh-ed the assistance. The committee was waiting for a reply if the council’s assistance would be needed. He thought that the offer might be accepted. The future of the council’s produce scheme would have to be decided soon. Cr A. W. Jones said he considered that the ratepayers were entitled to know the cost of the produce scheme. The chairman of the committee said a financial statement would be brought down.