TAKING SHAPE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21189, 12 August 1940, Page 9

TAKING SHAPE

LINEN FLAX SCHEME

500 TONS OF SEED COMING LOCATION OF UNITS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday “ It is not generally known that some years ago linen flax was grown in New Zealand for the production of linseed oil,” said the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in an interview. “ The experience then gained will no doubt prove useful, as the question of the manufacture of linseed oil cattle cake will come prominently before the linen flax committee, a newly-formed section of the Department of Industries and Commerce.

“ Samples of linen flax grown in New Zealand have been favourably commented upon by experts in both continued. “ Due to work underEngland and Ireland,” the Minister taken before the outbreak of war, we here in New Zealand have now reached the stage where the project has taken shape. Officers of the Department of Agriculture have established contact with the farming community, explaining the requirements, investigating areas and generally setting in train initial steps necessary for the development of the industry. Seed on the Way “ In all, some 14,000 acres will be sown, spread over the South Island. Tank retting units will be established at Blenheim, Waikuku, Makikihi, Clydevale and Otautau, while dew retting and natural flax units will be set up at Winton, Tapanui, Washdyke, Methven, Leeston and Oxford. “ The necessary pedigree seed is en route to New Zealand, the United Kingdom Government having secured and forwarded 500 tons. The three methods of treatment will be undertaken, according to the locality. Most of the machinery will be manufactured locally. We have reason to hope that the machines being made in New Zealand, both in railway workshops and by other concerns, will show definite improvements when compared with machines used in other countries. Control of Industry “ While the actual field work—that is, ‘the growing, contracting and production aspects—is under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture, the responsibility for the new venture as a whole lies with the Department of Industries and Commerce, under my direction. A committee representative of the departments interested has been set up. It comprises Mr F. Johnson, chairman (Department of Industries and Commerce), Mr R. B. Tennent (Department of Agriculture), Mr E. L. Greensmith (Treasury), and Mr F. R. Callaghan (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research). “ The director of linen flax development is Mr J. W. Hadfield. Mr Hadfield has made a thorough investigation of the industry in Ireland, Belgium and the United Kingdom, and the knowledge gained will prove invaluable in New Zealand’s present effort to supply the United Kingdom with linen flax.”