PAPER MANUFACTURE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2717, 11 March 1916, Page 15

PAPER MANUFACTURE

• « OUTLOOK IN AUSTRALIA. Afc the annual meoting of the Australian Paper Mills Company, Limited, held recently, tho chairman of directors', Miv Herbert Brookes, gave an interesting resume of the present state of t.h« paper manufacturing 'ndustry. Mr. Brookes said that, owing to the isolation of Australia from the European markets, the company were practically in a state of blockade, partly owing to the excessive freights, and partly to the embargoes placed 011 raw materials necessary to them. The paper ti"ado had felt it more than tho manufacturers. Unfortunately the company had not received tlie orders in the past that they might have coped with. But there was 110 doubt that the consumers who supported the ante helium policy now saw tho error of their ways. The company had in the Australian Paper Mills the only plant capable of manufacturing the finef description of printing paper. As far as prices were concerned, the cost of paper was rising continually. Th« policy of tho company was not to take advantage, but to make rises to reflect the increases .011 wages and raw materials. The increase in the latter was very marked, particularly in w'ood pulp, chemicals, and dyes. The difficulties in getting new machinery were very great.. They had also had anxieties to face during "the past year with regard to their supplies of wood pulp, but he was glad to say that tho company had achieved n flnccess in the latter direction that would enable them to continue manufacturing for many months to come. They had tried Canada, as a. source of supply for pulp, but found it hard to get in tliat country, and had to rely on Norway and Sweden. A good deal had been hoard about the possibility of manufacturing pulp in Australia. The company did not consider tho proposition as practicable, as tho wood was not so suitable as that of the more northern, climates. Thore might be suitable timber areas, but so far these had not been discovered. The speaker referred to the drawback caused by the heavy duty payable on pulp. Ho also urged, that the country in general should more widely support local industries. This should be done, not only by the State Government, but by the cities and shires. _ At present the company was negotiating a largo contract with' one of tho State Governments. This would involve a forward pblicy as far as the company was concerned. If it could see its, way to accept the contract, it would cover tho requirements of one State Government almost completely. The matter, however, was onlv in a tentative stage at present. The increases in wages had engagd attention, and the management believed < thatthe log drawn «p would satisfy requirements for the next two years. A policy of renewals liad been decided on, and new machinery would he installed in each of the three mills. They were prepared to go further in this direction, as the boarcl realised that now, was the time to capture tho trade of Australasia. The board believed that the Federal Government meant to be patriotic, and w ; as prepared to maintain the present duties, and where necessary t-o increaso them. As far as they could foresee, business promised to be safe and sound for some years to come. j