BIG FUTURE FOR BAY OF PLENTY IS PROMISED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 61, 9 November 1949, Page 5

BIG FUTURE FOR BAY OF PLENTY IS PROMISED

“There is a big future under a Labour Government for Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty, area. This district is of great importance in Labour’s plans for the timber industry, land development, the tourist industry and possibly, the genefation of electric power by thermal heat,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in a statement issued during his visit to' the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua district. “The "pulp and paper plan for Murupara will be among the biggest industrial projects ever sponsored by the Government.”

“Leadiirg experts have investigated the scneme closely, and searching tests of the timber are being carried out. Those already concluded, in Tasmania and the United States, have been most prbmising,” Mr Fraser continued. Huge Paper Industry “An ultimate annual output of 25,000 tons of sulphate pulp, about 51,000 tons of newsprint and 9,000 tons of writing and printing paper is envisaged. This will save up to 12 million dollars and will give security to New Zealand printing and newspaper industries. “It should also give employment, directly or indirectly, to 3,400 workers. Housing and other amenities Will be provided on the job, including 1,300 houses and accommodation for a large number of single men. The plants will cost about £10,500,000. The output will be absorbed on the Australian and New Zealand markets.

“The project, based on the Kaingaroa Forest, will include New "Zealand’s biggest' sawmill, producing 72,000,000 board feet of timber a year. It will involve the construction of a deep-water port at Tauranga and the building of about 40 miles of railway line from Murupara to Edgecumbe, joining the existing line to Tauranga. The work on the railway and harbour will absorb a large amount of Maori labour from, neighbouring districts. ' The whole project is proceeding as quick--ly as possible.

Hydro-Electric Projects “The Rotorua-Bay of Plenty area is alongside one of New Zealand’s greatest hydro-electric projects—the 10-station scheme of the Waikato River. But there are plans for exploiting, if possible, the thermal resources of Rotorua for power generation. “Following recent visits to Northern Italy by .the Commissioner of Works, Mr McKillop, and the Government Geologist, Dr. Ongley, the Government has decided to invite leading Italian authorities on thermal power generation to visit New Zealand and report on the possibilities,” Mr Fraser added.