FLAX VERSUS COW.

Shannon News, 17 July 1923, Page 4

FLAX VERSUS COW.

FORMER- 100 PER CENT MORE PROFITABLE. * A STRIKING COMPARISON. I From facts placed before a meeting of flaxmilling interests of the northern district of Auckland, a comparison of the result’s obtained from dairying and flaxmilling disclosed that the latter was 100 per cent, more payable the former. This information was communicated to a meeting of the Flax-millers’ Association on Friday, over which Mr. A. Seifert; presided. It was stated that the case of the Makeura swamp had been cited, revealing that from an area of 14,000 acres, over a period of 15 years, the actual value of hemp sold was £3,333,000. Under dairying conditions on -the basis of one cow to one and three-quarter acres, each animal producing 16Sib. of butter-fat per year, valued at 1/43 per lb., the area would have produced £1,400,000. The yield from flax for the 15 years was £2OO per acre, whereas even under the most favourable conditions, and making every allowance, dairying would have produced only £IOO per acre. If was therefore, maintained that instead of l;his flax-bearing land being cut up for dairying, it should be conserved, with a corresponding benefit to the Dominion.

Among - numerous other samples given was included the fact that about 10,000 acires in the Waihi swamp were now being denuded of flax with a view to ; draining and sub-dividing it for dairying purposes. The action of the Government in doing this was considered ag-ainst the best interests of the country.