FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 4005, 3 October 1929, Page 3

FLAX INDUSTRY.

EFFECT OF SUPER LAND TAX. DEPUTATION WAITS ON PRIME MINISTER. ■ - s An assurance that its representations would be carefully inquired into was given to a deputation from the'New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association which approached the Prime Minister (Right Hon., Sir Joseph Ward) on Tuesday with regard to the super land tax proposals. The deputation was introduced by Mr. J. Linklater (Manawatu), who explained that the flaxmilling industry for its success depended upon the cultivation of large areas of land which would be affected by the super tax to such an extent that the industry might have to go out. Mr. .Linklater said that last year the sum of £45,000 wias paid in wages to employees in the flax industry, and should the industry be seriously affected many men would he thrown on the labour market.

'The chief spokesman was Mr. A. L. 'Seifert, who reiterated Mr. Linklater’s remarks, and |S-aid that the industry was not at all profitable at present, as prices were low, and New Zealand hemp was in competition with that produced by coloured labour in the Philippines, Yucatan, Java, and iWest Africa. New Zealand hemp had.no preference in any majckiet 'in the world, and cordage manufacturers wpuld take competitive goods if the New Zealand -quality and price did not suit them. 4 He also stressed the point that a large number of flaxplanting companies had been floated recently. The public bad subscribed for shares for these companies in all parts of New Zealand, and did so in good faith, believing that no excessive taxation load would be placed on the, industry. Each flax-planting company had 'bought a considerable area of land, as it was necessary -to do so from the point of view of economy. It took a flax plantation four years to mature, and if the' super tax were applied the cost of planting would be considerably increased. The industry deserved to flourish, and it was hoped that nothing would be done to prevent it prospering. The Prime Minister said that although he was not familiar with the special conditions of the industry the deputation’s request would receive very careful consideration.