FLAX INDUSTRY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 March 1943, Page 3

FLAX INDUSTRY

SCARCITY OF CUTTERS. AN APPEAL BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An appeal for flax cutters for the Manawatu, Wairarapa, Thames Valley and Marlborough districts was made by the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan, in referring to the importance of the flax industry in time of war. He said the ever-increasing demands of the armed forces for cordage, as well as those for domestic usage, had made it imperative to increase the flow of supplies of green flax to the mills. “The naval forces require cordage in substantial quantities, and with supplies of manila and sisal cut off or very severely curtailed we in New Zealand, with our phormium supplies, must take up some of tije shortage," said the Minister. “What is true of the naval forces is equally true of all the armed services. To meet the position, we need more men who are experienced in flax cutting or men who are willing to learn. Our woolgrowers, too, are depending on flax for woolpacks in which to. ship our wool to the Motherland, where it is urgently required. “We must have more flax delivered to our mills and any worker who has experience in flax cutting or who is willing to learn will be rendering a very great service to the country and to our Allies by responding to the urgent call now being made. The importance of the job to the battle of supplies cannot be overstressed and action now is what is required.”