N.Z. To Be Asked To Produce Newsprint

Chronicle (Levin), 20 February 1948, Page 2

N.Z. To Be Asked To Produce Newsprint

Kee'eived Tliursdav, 10.15 p.m. ' . .CANBEBBA, Fel>. 19. 1 *"• Clbsfer t'rffde l^lafibiis/Between' Australia and New Zealand will be discussed liext- week by tlie Prime Minister, Mr. Chifley, and tlie New Zealand Minister of Worlts and Railwavs, Mr. Semple. The New Zealand Assistanfc Trade Conimissioner, Mr. P. B. Marshall, witi also attend the conferenee which will be a continuance of discussions inaugurated by Mr.' Chifley during his reeent visit to New Zealand. It is not expeeted that any fmal decisions will be made nntil the returii of Mr. Nash from the Havana trade conference. ■ The Anstraliap (Tovernmeut has suggested to New Zealand the ipcreased production of '.newsprint in that country. Tentative proposals provide for its manufacture by both private and (Toverninent enterprise. The .aim is to .have suflieient newsprint produced in New Zealand and Tasmania to make Australia almost independent of' supplies from dollar cpuntries. Mr. Semple will arrive at Canberra next Tuesdav and will stay at the Prime Minister 's lodge. Tt is understood that in return for newsprint, Australia will provide New Zealand with urgently needed commodities, prineipally building materials sucli as steel and eement. NF r. Chifley said dollars liad been provided for the purcliase of machinerv for tlie ilevelopnient of the Boyer newsprint mills in Tasmania. The itormal demand from the Boyer mills was about 80,000 tons but the usage this ' year would be 90,000 tons. Australia could 'lise up (:o 800,000 tons of howsprint yearl v if there were no- restrictions. Newspaper proprietors wanted to step up production at the Boyer mills to the maxinmm ca'pacitv production of 95;000 tons a year. Tf the New Zealand enterrise ^ould be establislied, the Covernment thought it could produce more newsprint than the Boyer mills.