FLAX INDUSTRY THREATENED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2358, 22 November 1921, Page 3

FLAX INDUSTRY THREATENED.

EFFECTS OF YELLOW-LEAF DISEASE.

MANY MILLS CLOSE DOWN,

In conversation with Mr Alfred Seifert, n Palmerston Times reporter was informed that, with but one exception, all the mills in the Tokomaru and Linton districts had closed down, because of the destruction of the flax by the yellow-leaf disease. Mr Seifert said that part of the plant, of Messrs A. and L. Seifert, Ltd., owners of the Miranui and Weka miUs, would also have to be closed down shortly. The trouble was that no'one could say how much further the disease was likely

to progress. Luckily for the Fox-

ton district millers, the disease was ""not troubling their areas at all, and the mills were operating as usual. HEAVY LOSSES.

Questioned as to the tone of the hemp market, Mr Seifert replied it was very poor, .and prices had further declined lately. To-day the millers were receiving £27 per ton for high-grade quality hemp. In pre-war days this was considered a very good price. The cost of milling, freights and other charges had increased so much that the abovementioned figure was now below the cost of production. CIIANOE TO DAIRYING.

Of the 10,000 acres of flax swamp in the Makerua, only 3,000 acres were now carrying good flax. The loss to the millers 'was tremendous. Besides the loss of hemp, they would have to consider the scrapping of much good machinery. But, could the owners allow the L\nd to remain idle and unproductive It seemed lo Mr Seifert the change to dairying and grazing pursuits would have to be made. Incidentally, there would, at first, be a loss entailed in a change—the land would be entirely unproductive of revenue between the time of ceasing flax operations until the land was grassed and made fit for dairying purposes. However, this was only to be expected. Some of the land had already been grassed. SAVING THE INDUSTRY. Mr Seifert was asked if anything had come of the deputation which waited on the Hon. Nosworthy at the last Winter Show in connection with the combating of the yellowleaf disease. The proposal of the millers was that the Government should collect Is (id per ton on hemp exported, the money to be expended in establishing experimental stations. Mr Seifert said that the Agricultural Department had an officer employed on a scheme, but so far nothing definite had been arrived at. This was a pity, as valuable time had been lost. Many people, he fc-nid, held the opinion that the only way to revive the industry would be to select disease-resistant plants, and replan I them lo suitable areas. This would, possibly, mean that the industry would be more profitable, said Mr Seifert, because it would

lake a few years before such a

scheme as that suggested could bear fruit. It was to lie regretted that the Government Imd, so far, taken

no action. The flax industry had been a great asset to this country,

and if was worth spending a few pounds on to try to bring if back.