FLAX INDUSTRY THREATENED.

Shannon News, 25 November 1921, Page 4

FLAX INDUSTRY THREATENED.

EFFECTS OF YELLOW-LEAF DISEASE. MANY MILLS CLOSE DOWN. 9 •- In conversation with Mr Allred Seifert,,a Palmerston Times reporter was j informed that, with but one exception, { all the mills in the Tokomaru and Linton districts hail 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 mills, would, also have to be closed down shqrtly. The trouble was that no one could say how much further the disease was likely to progress. Luckily for the Foxton district millers, the disease was not troubling their areas at aJI, and the mills were operatijig 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 above-mentioned figure was now below the cost of production. CHANGE TO DAIRYING. Of the 10,000 acres of flax swamp lii the Makerua, only 3000 acres were now carrying good flax. The loss to the miliers was tremendous . Besides the loss of hemp, they would have to consider the scrapping of much good; machinery. But, could the owners’ allow the-landAo remain idle and unproductive? It seemed to Mr Seifert die 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 tfle land was grassed and made fit for dairying purposes. However/ this was only to be expected. Some of the land had already boon grassed. SAVING THE INDUSTRY. Mr Seifert, was asked if anything had come of the deputation which "wailed on the Hon. Nosworthy at the last Winter Show in connection with the combating of the yellow-leaf disease. The proposal of the millers was that the Government should collect Is 6d 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 said, held the opinion that the only way to revive the industry would be to select disease-resistant plants, and replant them to suitable areas. This would, possibly, mean that the ’ industry would he more profitable, said Mr Seifert, because it would take a lew years before such a scheme as that suggested could bear fruit. It was to be regretted that the Government had, so far, taken no action. The flax industry liad been a great asset' to this country, and it was worth spending a few pounds on to try to bring it back.