NEW PROPOSAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 10, 22 September 1944, Page 5

NEW PROPOSAL

PULP AND PAPER PLANT SCHEME FOR ROTORUA The proposed establishment of a national pulp and paper milling scheme in the Dominion was the subject, of a statement in the House of Representatives by the Commis« sioner of State Forests (Maojr the Hon. F. G. Skinner) f who replied to a question asked by Mr W. H. Gillespie (Na.-Hurunui). Mr Gillespie, asked whether it was correct as reported in a Press Association message from- that the Government envisaged the de.~ velopment of a national pulp and paper-milling scheme after the war: and if so whether it was his established policy to ajlow such announcements of policy,, if correct, to leak out, instead of being officially stated? Would he bear in, mind the results of other State, ventures in industry before he carried out his reported intentions? "It is correct that the Government have in view the development of a national pulp and paper-milling scheme for the future t but such a project although not necesarily . a State scheme has been envisaged by the State Forest Service since 1925 which was the year before the major exotic timber planting programme. in the , *Rotorua district was embarked upon " said the Minister in reply. "Such a scheme is a logical and integral part of the proper utilisation of exotic softwood and a department planning extensive plantings would be, sadly lacking if it did not explore fully all avenues of utiisation. The final proposals are now being prepared for examinations by .the Organisation for National Development. "The results of the othe.r State ventures in the timber industry are most certainly being borne in mind in the preparation and consideration of the jDresent proposals-."