LINEN FLAX CROPS

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVII, Issue 21, 27 January 1943, Page 5

LINEN FLAX CROPS

CONGESTION AT FACTORY. Because of the large carry-over of linen flax from the i941-42 season, the Washdyke linen flax factory will not be able to accept delivery of this season's crops, until stacking space is available at the factory. This was the text of an announcement made cn Saturday by the manager of the Washdyke factory (Mr W. J. Jones), who advised growers to get in touch with him to ascertain the approximate time when deliveries can again be accepted. Congestion at the Washdyke factory, and related matters, were fully discussed at a recent meeting of the Washdyke Linen Flax Committee (reports the Christchurch Press). The chairman (Mr R. Crombie) suggested that there was every prospect of a large carry-over of linen flax this season. On the sug^estion of Mr D. M. France, it was decided that farmers be asked to stack their linen flax, and hold it on their farms until the factory was in a position to handle it. Because of the present congestion at the factory, the committee agreed to defer discussing the matter of order of cartage to the factory. Concern was expressed at the amount of flax in stack at the factory, and the large carry-over of flax from 1941-42 to the 1942-43 season. Mr Jones outlined the capacity of his factory, and pointed out that the number of retting tanks largely controlled the amount of flax handled annually. Members agreed that it seemed necessary for the number of retting tanks to be increased. The committee carried the following resolution, which will be forwarded to the Director of the Linen Flax section of the Department of Industries and Commerce (Mr J. W. Hadfield) : "That with the large carry-over of flax, plus the acreage now being grown, this committee is of the opinion that it is advisable to build additional retting facilities at Washdyke. Failing this, we recommend a factory being built at Pleasant Point."