WRAPPING PAPER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 94, 31 October 1947, Page 6

WRAPPING PAPER

ACUTE DOMINION SHORTAGE

DECLINE IN IMPORTS The shortage of wrapping paper arises from the inability of overseas countries to provide the quantities formerly imported, and also from the an increased use of this paper in New Zealand. Actually supplies last year were 1,000 tons more than in 1939, but they still fell short by about 2,000 tons. It is estimated that to satisfy the present annual demand 10,000 tons of wrapping paper would be needed. The 1939 supplies comprised 6,000 tons of New Zealand-made paper and 1,150 tons of imported paper. Last year local production was 8,000 tons, but only 150 tons could be imported. Local production of wrapping paper comes from Southland mills, which are slowly increasing their output. Their 1946 total of 8,000 tons is 2,000 more than their 1939 figure —their production has nearly doubled in the last 10 years. Larger imports will also be possible as the supply countries—Britain and Sweden—get back to full-scale production.

The present shortage in New Zealand, about 20 per cent., appears to be even more %cute owing to the coastal shipping position. The supply does not come through regularly, so that a period of some weeks, when there is enough paper io go round, is, followed by an acute shortage.

The increased post-war demand is due to the growth of trade and to postwar shortages of alternative and special packing materials, such as cardboard and greaseproof paper, which has led to the extended use of kraft wrapping ,(brown paper) as a substitute. Brown paper is also used in increasing quantities for the manufacture of multi-wall-ed bags for packing flour, cement, etc.

The New Zealand factory, which started operations in 1877 with an output of 100 tons, has steadily increased its production. ‘A comparison of supplies over the last ten years is as follows:

N.Z.-made Imported Tons Tons 1936 4,468 1,500 f 1939 6,000 1,150 1942 6,500 172 1946 8,000 150