THE FLAX INDUSTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18822, 12 July 1923, Page 7

THE FLAX INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT’S OFFER DISCUSSED. MR. SEIFERT INTERVIEWED. (Per Press Association.) PALMERSTON N„ July 11. There will be no immediate effects of the industry as a result of the abandonment, through lack of funds of the experimental work which the Flaxmillers’ Association has been doing at Miranui in order to combat the yello wleaf disease in flax, but no doubt the industry will feel the effects of the failure, remarked Mr A. Seifert, who was the leading figure in promoting the experiments, interviewed on tho subject of the Government’s decision to agree to a subsidy of £ tor £ and additional grading fee of 6d a ton on flax. The fund derived will be utilised for the purpose of continuing experiments. “ What the Government has done.” said Mr Seifert, “is to agree to subsidise us £ for £ up to £290, and although unaware of the reason for limiting it to this sum, I presume the Government took the last year's grading quantity and based the subsidy on that. It will be remembered, however, that last year the market was in a very depressed condition.” What the millers wanted, said Mr Seifert, was security, and the granting of a fixed sum which they were prepared to subsidise by agreeing to the increased grading charge. The main reason for the millers approaching the Government was to ask for support in the work of selecting thesvery best flax varieties from which they could choose the best plants that give the best quality fibre, and also show the greatest resistance to the yellow leaf disease. After selecting such plants the millers aimed at improving them by breeding. They were nxious to interest the small farmer and induce him to plant a certain amount of flax. They could supply him with specially selected Seed for sowing. The people who had taken up the experimental work think the industry could only be placed on really prosperous footing by improving and increasing the quantity of raw material. Wilt the future' policy of the millers would be with regard to experimental work in view of the Government’s offer, Mr Seifert could not say, but they would consider the whole question at a meeting this week.