EXPORT OF FLAX PLANTS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1934, Page 7

EXPORT OF FLAX PLANTS

PROTEST TO GOVERNMENT. LATER COMPETITION FEARED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston N., Last Night. In view of the fact that 40,000 New Zealand flax plants are to be shipped to Singapore from Waikato and that a further 100,000 are expected to go later strong representations are being made to the Government immediately to prevent the export of plants or seed. The immense commercial possibilities of exported New Zealand fibre have long been recognised by experts in overseas countries, and despite repeated efforts of the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association to persuade the Government to take action immense quantities of both fibre and seed have been exported from time to time. It is not generally known that plants of phormium tenax have already been established in certain overseas countries. Action to prevent the export is considered long overdue, and that unless drastic action is taken by the Government the New Zealand industry will be faced with serious competition from overseas countries employing cheap coloured labour.