CORDAGE IN DEMAND

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5600, 2 April 1943, Page 4

CORDAGE IN DEMAND

APPEAL FOR FLAX CUTTERS An appeal for flax cutters for the Manawatu, Wairarapa, Thames Vai* ley, and Marlborough districts was made by the Minister of Sdpply, Mr D. G. Sullivan, in referring to the importance of the flax industry in time of war. He said the ever-in-creasing demands of the armed forces for cordage, as well as those for domestic usage, had made it imperative to increase the flow of supplies of green flax to the mills.

“ The naval forces require cordage in substantial quantities, And With supplies of manila and sisal cut off or vdfy Severely curtailed, We in New Zealand, with out phariniath supplies,

must take up some of the shortage,” said the Minister. “ What is true of the naval forces is equally true of all the armed services. To meet the position we need more men who are experienced in flax cutting or men who are willing to learn.

“Our wool-growers, too, are depending on flax for wool-packs in which to ship our Wool to the Motherland. where it is urgently required. “ We must have inore flax delivered to our mills, ahd any worker Who has experience in flax- cutting or who is willing to learn will be rendering a very great service to the country and to our Allies by responding to the urgent call now being made. . The ihi* portance of the job to the battle of supplies cannot be over-stressed, and action now is what is required.”