GOOD RESPONSE BY FARMERS

Southland Times, Issue 24170, 5 July 1940, Page 8

GOOD RESPONSE BY FARMERS

GROWING OF LINEN ' FLAX ACREAGE GREATER THAN REQUIREMENTS (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 4. South Island farmers have more than met the request of the Government to put aside 15,000 acres for the growing of linen flax, which is being undertaken following representations recently made by the British Government. Altogether, some 16,000 acres have been made available and contracts are now being forwarded to growers for their signatures.

“Indeed we are embarrassed by the response for the acreage is greater than we really require and for which we have seed,” said Mr R. B. Tennent, Director of Primary Production, in an interview today. “The price to be paid to farmers for straw from which seed has been taken is £4/5/- a ton. The price which will be paid for seed is:— For crops accepted, £25 a ton; for crops rejected, £35 a ton.” This appeared to be anomalous, Mr Tennent remarked, but where a crop was rejected the farmer had to harvest, thresh and dress the seed and deliver the seed into store at his own cost, while for an accepted crop the Government undertook to do the harvesting, threshing, seed-dressing, and delivery. Bonuses would be given for quality crops. For crops of more than the stanard length of 30 inches a maximum bonus of 5/- an acre would be paid. A bonus of 5/- would also be given for freedom from weeds and a further 5/for the quality of the straw, making a total bonus of 15/-. An essential point made by Mr Tennent was that the Government will undertake to pull and thresh crops, thus saving the farmer the most laborious part of the growing of linen flax. As an added incentive a minimum guarantee of £5 an acre will be given to every farmer even if his crop is a complete failure due to drought, fire, flood or any other reason.” This should more than cover the cost of production,” Mr Tennent said.