FATE OF FLAX INDUSTRY.

Shannon News, 20 July 1923, Page 4

FATE OF FLAX INDUSTRY.

DEPLORED IN THE HOUSE. MEMBERS TAKE UP CUDGELS FOR RESEARCH. GOVERNMENT’S POLICY SUICIDAL. WELLINGTON, Last Night. While speaking in the House this afternoon, Mr Field deplored the fact, that the flax industry was on the decline. This, he said, was due to yellow leaf disease. Good -flax land would give twice the -return good dairying land would. It was our own exclusive industry and it was a great pity it had been allowed to languish. Other countries had seen the value of the industry and Paraguay contemplated planting a huge area. He was sorry the Government had not seen its way to give more encouragement to the experiments which 1 were being made. Mr Parry: “Did they turn it down? Mr Field: “They gave £290, but £IOOO was asked for and a result wasthat the experimenters were thinking of ceasing , the experiments and allowing the industry to slidel Had it not been for Mr Alfred Seifert, who had done magnificent work, the experiments would have ceased before. Mr Holland endorsed what Mr Field had said. The experimenter had done wonderful woiflt and it was a thousand pities the Government had not given greater help. Mr Parry absolutely -agreed with what Mr Field had said. \ He had been in the district in 1914, when 1600 men were employed in the flax, industry. It seemed to him the policy of the Government of refusal to help was 'suicidal. He hoped the matter would bo reconsidered ; and the full subsidy of £IOOO given. It was a great pity the industry was being allowed to die.