LINEN FLAX

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21968, 21 May 1941, Page 7

LINEN FLAX

Contract For New Season Summary Of Main Points Many farmers In South Canterbury have been anxiously awaiting the linen flax contract for next season, and the main points in the contract have now been received by the Department of Agriculture In Tlmaru. It was pointed out that the summary of the contract was not a legal document, but was merely intended to put in simple form some of the main conditions of the new contract. It Is emphasised that a proper contract form must be signed by each farmer contracting with the Government. The main points of the new contract are:— (1) All contract areas must be approved by an officer of the Department of Agriculture. (2) No minimum guarantee will be given this year but prices and bonuses will be higher. (3) Seed for sowing will be provided ex factory or railway siding nearest to grower at the rate of 25/- per cwt. s.l. This cost will be a first charge against the farmer’s account, but will be written off in the event of crop faUure due to causes other than negligence on the part of the grower. (4) Crops will be Inspected by a representative of the Linen Flax Organisation prior to harvesting, to determine their suitability for processing Into linen liax fibre, this determination to be based on length of fibre (minimum—2oln) freedom from weeds and general quality. The inspection will be carried out In conjunction with the local instructor in agriculture who will act as advisor to the farmer when the crop value is assessed. (5) Where a crop is rejected for fibre purposes the grower may harvest

same for seed which will be paid for at the rate of £2O per ton on a mach-ine-dressed weight, the farmer to deliver such seed on trucks nearest station or to the factory.

Pulling of Flax The Crown undertakes to arrange for the pulling of those areas accepted for fibre production which are in a fit state to harvest by pulling machine, either by the employment of contractors or by the supply of pulling machines to be operated by farmers. In either case binder twine will be provided by farmers. In either case binder twine will be provided by the farmer. ff the full pulling service is provided, the farmer’s account will be debited at the rate of 30/- pel- acre of crop pulled, while if a farmer undertakes to arrange the pulling of 125 acres a puller will be hired out to him and serviced with spare parts at the rate of 10/- per acre. In the event of pulling being undertaken by the Linen Flax Section where less than 95 per cent, of the crop is pulled due to bad operation of the puller and not through the inability of the machine to deal with the crop on account of the bad conditions of the crop, an assessment will be made on that portion of the crop left unpulled and the farmer will be credited with same. (7> Delivery of undeseeded linen flax straw will be made by the grower to the linen flax factory, either out of stack on the farm or alternatively off lorry or other transport at the factory, subject to mutual agreement between the farmer and the factory manager. In the event of the farmer being unable to provide labour for loading from the stack to the lorry, the factory will provide such labour which will be a charge against tlie farmer. Undeseeded Straw

Undeseeded linen flax straw of processable quality will be purchased Jt the minimum rate of £8 per ton. In addition, bonuses to the above rate will be determined at field inspection to a maximum of (a) for straw quality, fibre content and freedom from weeds 30/- a ton; (b) for length of fibre 2/per inch lup to 30 inches), 20/- a ton; (c) for seed yield. 10/- a ton of straw: while a further bonus of up to 30/- a ton will be declared on delivery Immaterial free from weathering, well handled and otherwise in good condition.

(9) Produce the quality of which has been badly impaired by careless handling and stacking may be degraded below the valuation determined at field inspection. (10) An estimate of the weight of straw stacked on the farm will be made made as soon as possible after stacking, and the grower will then be paid an amount equivalent to 50 per cent, of the total value of the estimated weight of straw in stack, based on the valuation determined at field inspection. The balance, together

with any bonus due for delivery in good condition, will be paid following delivery of crop. (11) Full payment for straw delivered to the factory will be made following delivery of crop. (12) To compensate the grower for storage, risk of damage, and delay in payment, there will be added, to all payments due to be made on or after March 1 in Canterbury and Marlborough, and on or after April 1 in Otago and Southland, or on the first day of the month after stacking (whichever is the later), an increment of 21 per cent, per month or part thereof of the initial amount due. (13) In the event of loss of or damage to straw after stacking, but prior to delivery, such loss or damage as a result of faulty stacking, flood or fire, will be the responsibility of the grower except in so far as any payment may have been made to the grower in the form of an advance payment prior to delivery (see clause 8). (14) Provision in the contract will be made for farmers to give authorivy for payment to a mercantile firm or Government Department. ,i