LINEN FLAX.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4038, 7 January 1930, Page 3

LINEN FLAX.

LORD ORAIGAVON’S INTEREST

Christchurch,'Januarv 4.

Viscount 'Crn.iga.von, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland; who passed through Christchurch to-day on his way to the West 'Coast, where he will (visit the Ffranz Josef Glacier, has been interested a great deal in the flax industry since he ha's been in New Zealand. Yesterday, in Wellington, he discussed matters pertaining to the 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. ITe did not know fill lie 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 ether European countries,” he said. “If New Zealand could supply onr leqniroments, that is, the raw material, if would he, another crop for the Dominion which might carry her tl.rough if (liovo happened fo he n bad time for hatter, cheese, woo), and oilier primary industries.” He added that the development of (lax-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.