WANTS TO USE DOMINION FLAX.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 4 January 1930, Page 9

WANTS TO USE DOMINION FLAX.

VISCOUNT CRAIGAVON VISITS CHRISTCHURCH.

Of commanding stature and with the features of a typical Ulsterman, the Prime Minister of Northc:.- Ireland, \ r iscount Craigavon proved in an interview to be a close observer and a delightful conversationalist. He passed through Christchurch this morning on his way to the West Coast, where he will visit the Franz Josef Glacier. While in Christchurch this morning the Viscount and Countess Craigavon paid a visit to the Gardens, where they were shown round by Mr James Young, the Curator. They will return to Christchurch next Thursday, and on Friday they will be entertained at luncheon by Christchurch Ulstermen. They will leave for Dunedin on Friday night and, after visiting the Cold Lakes and Mount Cook, will go to Wellington on January 24, sailing on February 1 by the Rangitata. Viscount Craigavon is on a purely holiday visit to New Zealand, but as he said to a “ Star ” reporter this morning, he “has found that the Dominions have short-circuited a lot of things and he has often been able to get a useful hint from the methods adopted in the Dominions.” However, he felt, while in New Zealand, like a schoolboy just out from school on a holiday. No Politics. Politics are not allowed to intrude on Ulster’s Prime Minister on this holiday. When the reporter touched on differences with the Irish Free State, Viscount Craigavon declared that such things belonged to the past and that he was now looking to the future. He preferred to be like the late Mr Massey, who had termed himself a :ommercial traveller for New Zealand - He wished to be a commercial traveller for Ulster. Of the beauties of the Christchurch gardens, Viscount Craigavon found it easy to speak. He said that he had had a tour through them accompanied by the curator and he had been delighted with them. “My wife and I were very favourably impressed with all that we saw in your beautiful city,” he added. New Zealand Flax. Flax has interested Viscount Craigavon a great deal since he has been in New Zealand, and yesterday he discussed matters pertaining to the flax industry with the Prime Minister. Sir Joseph Ward. He explained this morning that New Zealand flax was entirely different from the flax used in the linen industry in Ulster. He did not know till he had been round the South Island what the prospects were for the cultivation of suitable flax here. “Ulster would much prefer to pay for its raw material inside the Empire than spend such a very large amount in Soviet Russia and other European countries,” he said. “If New Zealand could supply our requirements, that is, the raw material, it would be another crop for the Dominion which might carry her through if there happened to be a bad time for butter-fat, cheese wool and other primary industries.” He added that the development of flax-growing in New Zealand would further two parts of the Empire which were now more analogous than any other—New Zealand and Ulster. Sir Joseph Ward had been most sympathetic when the speaker had broached the subject yesterday. Friendly With Prime Ministers. Viscount Craigavon has known four New Zealand Prime Ministers, Mr Sed don, Mr Massey, Mr Coates, and Sir Joseph Ward. He said that he first heard Sir Joseph Ward deliver a splendid oration in the Albert Hall many years ago. Yesterday, Viscount Craigavon laid a wreath on Mr Massey’s grave at Point Halswell on behalf of the people of Ulster, as a compliment, he said, to an old friend and a distinguished fellow countryman. “ I had the principal drive at Ulster’s new Parliament Buildings named ‘ Massey Avenue,' ” he added. “It was the highest tribute that I could pay to a great Imperialist. Fortunately, he lived long enough to acknowledge the com pliment, so for all ti.ne, you here in New Zeaalnd have a magnificent mem orial and we in Ulster will have a per manent record of services rendered to country and King.” The Dairying Industry. The dairying industry of New Zea land has been of great interest to Viscount Craigavon, as a good deal of dairying is carried on in Ulster. He said he found that the methods adopted were very up-to-date and he had been very interested in the successful application of science to dairy pro duce, not only in regard to butter and cheese but also other products, such as casein and dried milk.