TRIBUTE PAID

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23258, 20 July 1945, Page 2

TRIBUTE PAID

I Producers Of F!ax (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 18. A tribute to all who helped with the I production of linen flax was paid at the New Zealand Farmers' Union conference by Mr E. J. McGrath, chair- ! man of the Linen Flax Growers' I Advisory Committee. He reviewed the ■ development of the industry since ! Britain’s call in 1940. The objective was i 15,000 acres and within two weeks I South Island farmers had promised 14.000 acres. Since then the area in production had increased to 25,000 acres. “The urgent need has now passed and flax- production will naturally recede to a much smaller area," said Mr | McGrath. “I would like the public to know of the great service which farmers, workers in factories and the linen flax management committee performed in the service of the Empire. Mr J. W. Hadfield, director of the linen flax section, deserves special mention for his untiring work." Mr McGrath explained that flax from New Zealand was an essential raw material for hose in the fire blitz on England, for parachute harness, for cable casings, for army web equipment and for aeroplane fabric. He also thanked members of his com--1 mittee for the help they had always given him.