asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the policy which he in future intends to pursue in regard to the flax crop, how it is to be disposed of, and the price to be obtained by the growers from the spinners; further, if his Department will in future take a more active part in helping flax growers, especially since by providing public money for the payment of flax inspectors the Minister's policy still appears to be that flax is a desirable crop for the flax-growing areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flax Crop Policy.
Farmers are free to grow any crop they like on their own land. If they desire to grow flax in preference to some other crop that is entirely a matter for themselves. As long as a substantial quantity of flax is produced it is my duty to provide the necessary instruction in the cultivation of the crop and the processes necessary to bring it up to marketing stage. As regards the marketing of the crop I refer the Deputy to the answer given to Deputy Sheldon on the 29th October, 1949, and to state that I still hold the views then expressed.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by me to Deputy Smith on the 14th March last, relative to the disposal and prices of the 1950 flax crop.
Does the Minister not think that it is his duty to state what is his attitude and the attitude of his Department towards this crop, whether it is favoured or whether it is not favoured? If it is not favoured then why should public money be spent on officials supervising the growing and scutching of flax?
Because I do not intend to "dig" into anybody living on this land of this country. They are free to do as they please and I have certain duties to discharge, consequential on the free decision of individual farmers. My view, if the Deputy wants it, on the bargain made by the scutch millers with the Northern Ireland spinners to sell our people's flax to the Northern Ireland spinners for 10/- a stone less than they are paying to the growers in Northern Ireland, is that the bargain is an opprobrious and disgraceful one.
Even assuming that the farmers and growers are free to grow what they like, is it not the responsibility of the Minister to have some policy as Minister as to the wisdom of growing this crop?
I have nothing to add to what I have already said.
Am I to understand from the Minister that he is not going to take any further interest in obtaining a price for flax for the people who grow it?
I take a deep interest in the price our people secure for flax and I condemn unreservedly any proposal to turn our people in Counties Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal into hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Belfast linen spinners.
What about the egg differential?
What about bacon?