PRODUCING CHEMICALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1918, Page 1

PRODUCING CHEMICALS.

POSSIBILITIES Ol\\VATER

POWER

“ One of the sources of Germany’s strength has been her control of the chemical industries,” writes Mr L. Birks, Electrical Engineer to the Public Works Department, in the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology.” “Hundreds of thousands of horse power of electricity are used by Germany to manufacture soda, potash, acids, carbide, nitrates, explosives, and dozens of other essential products. As a result of the war the cost of these chemicals in New Zealand has become practically prohibitive, and Germany has been enabled to carry on the war, which she could not have done without these products of electric powei. “ Lake Coleridge power lias already enabled sulphate of iron, formerly imported by the gasworks, for purifying the gas, to be replaced by hydrate of iron produced from the old tins from the destructor. A further , development of the same industry'will yield an iron-oxide paint previously imported. Other scientific devevelopments are i|i hand, which will produce in the near future commercial results y of the utmost importance in making a self- reliant community in New Zealaud.

Caustic soda cost £l2 per ton .before the war. It is now costing £45 per ton, a,nd will probably shortly be unprocurable. Arrangements are being completed for the,-local manufacture of caustic soda and hydrochloric acid by the electrolysis of common salt by means of Lake Coleridge power.” ' j