CAUSTIC SODA SHORTAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 58, 25 July 1947, Page 8

CAUSTIC SODA SHORTAGE

WARNING TO USERS STATEMENT BY FIRM’S MANAGER “Too much stress cannot be laid upon the necessity for all users of caustic soda to conserve their supplies to the greatest possible extent.” This warning was given by the general manager of the principal alkali-importing firm in New Zealand, commenting in Wellington on the reported serious shortage of caustic soda. It was well recognised, the manager said; that there had been unnecessary waste in the past. Today this could not be tolerated. In explaining the position as it affected New Zealand, he said that no doubt the supply of alkali was causing some concern. However, there was no tangible evidence of any lack of production of primary products for export as the result of the shortage, even though the' position must at times become precarious.

In the past, New Zealand had been almost entirely dependent upon the United Kingdom to supply its requirements. Much of Britain’s chemical production had been reduced over the past year or two through shortages of coal, and there had been an extremely hard winter which resulted in a total cessation of production for about two months. Producers at Home were doing their utmost to re-establish their normal rate of production, but the coal position was by no means clear as yet. It thus became a matter for conjecture as to the likely outcome for the remainder of this year. Meanwhile, users should know that every effort was being made through Government channels and through impprters to secure supplies of alkalis for New Zealand. Unfortunately, there was a severe worldwide shortage of alkalis, but some parcels had been secured from sources other than Great Britain, and probably supplies would continue from these same sources to augment tipose quantities arriving from the United Kingdom.