FLAXMILLERS' APPEAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 783, 2 October 1929, Page 10

FLAXMILLERS' APPEAL

SUPER-TAX WOULD RUIN INDUSTRY

MANY MEN AFFECTED THE SUN'S Parliamentary IZevori rr PARLIAMENT BLDGS.. Tolly. An assurance that their representations would be carefully inquired into was given today to a deputation from the New Zealand Flax-Millers’ Kedera-vx-n ’ wh .*£ h approached Sir Joseph with regard to the super-tax •nr t T d . e P utation was introduced bv Mr. J. Lmklater (Manawatu), who explained that lithe industry, for success depended upon the cultivation of large areas 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 £45,000 was paid in wages to employees in the industry and should it be seriously affected many men would be thrown on the labour market. The chief spokesman was Mr. A. L. Seifert, who reiterated Mr. Linklater’s remarks and said that the industry was not all profitable at the present, as prices were low and New Zealand hemp was m competition with that produced by coloured labour in the Philippines, Yucatan, Java and West Africa. New Zealand hemp had no preference in any market in the world. lie stressed the point that a large number of flax-planting companies had oeen floated recently. The public had subscribed for shares in these companies in all parts of New Zealand and did so in good faith, believing that no excessive taxation 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 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.