PAPER-MAKING PROPOSAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1920, Page 2

PAPER-MAKING PROPOSAL.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ACTI&N APPROVED. LARGE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT POSSIBLE. In connection with the proposal put forward at the last meeting of the West, land Chamber of Commerce, with re. i-ard to paper making for New Zealand, unsolicited endorsement of the idea, has been received from Sir George Fenwick, the Managing Director of the Otago Times and Witness newspapers. • Sir George, not only approves the proposal, but indicates that the capital required would be forthcoming very readily. As tlio matter wears such a promising prospect the Westland Chamber might well continue its efforts to get such an important industry established in this district where there is tlie material at hand to operate upon and with, both in relation to necessary special timber supply, and hydro-electric power for pulping and manufacture. Sir George Fenwick writes from Dune din under date of .Trine 7tli The Secretary,

Chamber of Commerce, Hokitika. Dear Sir, —I noticed from a telegram published Lore on 3rd insti, that your Chamber is inviting the Government to disclose its policy regarding the establishing of a paper mill in the Dominion. 1 am, as a proprietor, very deeply interested in the. question, in communication’with Mr Massey on the same subject.

At the annual meting of the News, paper Proprietors’ Association, held in February last, a resolution was passed affirming the desirability of a .miji being established, and a committee of the Association was set up to deal with the matter. It is on behalf of that committee I am corresponding with Mr Massey, and I write to you - for the purpose of saying that I shall be glad if your Chamber will do its best to help in securing the support of the Government. The cost of erecting a mill and wood pulp plant and all necessary buildings, and of providing hydroelectric power will be very great, pro. bably £300,000 before a. start could be made witlf the manufacture of paper. There is, however, l-enson for believing that the capital could be raised between newspaper proprietors, and the general investing public. The practical support of the public is, however, essential, and anything your' Chamber can do to secure that support will be appreciated by the newspaper proprietors | who are moving in the matter.--Yours truly, GEORGE FENWICK.