PREPARING FOR START AT MURUPARA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 21, 17 November 1950, Page 5

PREPARING FOR START AT MURUPARA

* minister announces GOVERNMENT’S INTENTIONS

The Murupara paper and pulp project is to be developed by private enterprise with the assistance of the Government, the Minister of Forests, Mr Corbett, announced. He said the Government had decided to proceed with the proposals to utilise the resources of the major portion of the Kaingaroa State Forest. Companies throughout the world which possess adequate financial and technical resources were to be invited to make offers for the purchase of the whole or part of the annual yield of 28 million cubic feet of logs which could be produced from the Murupara working circle, said the Minister. This would be done at an early date.

Five New Zealand companies had expressed interest in the scheme and also corporations in Canada. Australia and the United Kingdom The Government would provide assistance in establishing sawmilling and a paper and pulp project to utilise supplies coming from the forest. The amount of this assistance would be set out in the terms of sale now being prepared by the Government.

The Minister added that New Zealand organisations and investors would be given ample opportunity to participate in the project or projects which are finally accepted by the Government. •Parties interested would be given access to the consultant’s reports on the sawmilling, pulp and paper proposals, in addition to other documents, including the working plan of the forest and the results of the paper and pulp trials would be available.

“All parties having adequate financial and technical resources can be assured of the full co-operation of the Government,” said Mr Corbett. “No stone will be left unturned to insure that the industries are established in the shortest possible time.

"To this end, the Government will shortly examine proposals to have the railway construction from Edgecumbe to Murupara started.”