PRODUCTION OF LINEN FLAX

Southland Times, Issue 24548, 24 September 1941, Page 6

PRODUCTION OF LINEN FLAX

COMPLAINTS NOT WARRANTED Several points about the production of linen flax were raised by Mr A. R. Johnston at a meeting of the Gore Sub-Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday. Mr Johnston said that since the discussion at the last meeting of the Southland Provincial Executive on the question of linen flax production he had been approached by the manager of the Tapanui factory and had received a letter from the workers’ union and he wished to raise some points about the matter. “I should say first that the lack of enthusiasm among farmers for the growing of linen flax has not been confined to the Tapanui district—it has been apparent in other Southland districts where the crop was grown last year,” Mr Johnston said. “This is regrettable and I say emphatically that wherever the fault or faults lie—whether with the Government, the factory hands, or the farmers—such should be rectified to let us get on with the job.”

Mr Johnston said that the manager of the factory had given him an invitation to pass on to executive members to visit the factory at any time, and he thought that members should avail themselves of this opportunity. “He has also informed me that some of the complaints which I had heard of and others which I had not heard were not warranted,” said Mr Johnston. “The move to set up in each factory district a growers’ committee—a move which has the sanction of the Minister—is obviously a step in the right direction. Growers’ complaints could be placed before this committee, and if found on investigation to be warranted, could then be taken to the proper authority. “The manager assures me that he has authority to deal with any slackness and that on the whole the men look upon their work as a war effort,” continued Mr Johnston. “The men are on a 40-hour week with a guaranteed minimum wage for the week. Saturday morning may be worked at ordinary rates to complete 40 hours, otherwise time and a-half applies to Saturdays and double time to Sundays. A break in the weather during the week may mean that when material is dry over the week-end the men are called out on Saturday or Sunday. At the meeting of the Southland Provincial Executive a motion advocating a 48-hour week instead of a 40-hour week in the industry was carried. I am informed that the men have already offered to forgo the privileges of a 40hour week. The fact that this has not been agreed to would appear to be the responsibility of others.” The chairman (Mr Henry Smith) thanked Mr Johnston for bringing the matter up. Mr E. A. Cameron appealed to farmers to grow linen flax if they still had land available. It was a new industry and the flax was urgently required. There were many difficulties but he felt that these would be overcome.