PAPER-MAKING

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1928, Page 3

PAPER-MAKING

DOMINION POSSIBILITIES. VIEWS OF CANADIAN EXPERTS. That New Zealand could undertake the manufacture of paper with every expectation 01 success is the opinion or Mr A. I*'. Richter, president of the Canadian Stebbings Engineers Company, ot Montreal, and of other big paper making concerns in Canada anti the United States.

.Mr Richter, who has spent some time investigating the pulp and paper making possibilities ot the Dominion, said that he was satisfied, alter a searching examination, that New Zealand had the necessary wood supply, especially from til© point of view of the suitability of the wood for paper production. The Dominion possessed plenty of power, and had a market at her doors. He was convinced that produc-

tion costs of the manufactured product from the available woods would be. in keeping with plants of other countries engaged in tin. 1 manufacture oi similar grades of paper. The West. Coast, he considers, is ideally situated in relation to its resources. “i am quite certain,” he said, “that capital may bp easily enlisted for tne establishment of paper making here.” He added that he fully concurred in the findings that had been ooine to as the result of investigations made earlier into the possibilities of paper making in New Zealand. Mr Richter said lie did not think that it would he necessary to establish the industry on the basis of a large initial production. “Information has reached me,” he said, “to the effect that previous advices published on the subject ot plant capacity were along lines of influencing the establishment of a larger capacity unit as the initial enterprise than would he justified, by the conditions as 1 view them. Having grown up with the pulp and paper making industry in Canada and C.S.A. 1 am fully aware of the fact that all the large concerns that were pioneers in the industry in those countries started with moderate plant capacity. I feel that the time is not ripe for establishment of over-sized units at this stage. On the contrary, I ant strongly inclined to urge that a beginning should be made with a moderate capacity mill, producing .such grades as are in greatest demand in the country itself? My investigations establish the fact that the pulp and paper industry need not be protected by an import tariff, but could compete in the open market with the mills of other countries.” Mr Richter pointed out that wood could be used that hitherto bad bad no appreciable value and that bad in fact, been ruthlessly destroyed. Tie expressed warm admiration for the policy and achivements of the New Zealand Forestry Department. “I enjoyed the privilege of being shown through the Forestry Department's nursery at Rimu” ho said, “and learned from Mr McGavock, Conservator of Forests for the West Const, that extensive areas have been planted during the last few years. 1 cannot pay an adequate tribute to the sound judgment and the splendid practical policy shown by the Department and its officers in the work of re-afforesting the timber areas. The Department is doing most valuable work ill selecting species of trees ot rapid growth well suited to the climate and to tlicv growing conditions which obtain in New Zealand. My impressions are that the progress made by vour Forest Department is more practical and productive than that which has been achieved either in the United States or Canada.” Mr Richter is charmed with New Zealand. Like many others be does not understand why the country and its attractions arc not better advertised abroad. “New Zealand is much too modest,” lie said. “Her citizens are inclined to be modest about their country, and they do not do her justice in advertising her resources or scenic attentions. Let me assure you I have spent virtually a life-time on the road, and I have seen many of the countries of the world, hut I have never previously encountered anything which could surpass that which you have here.’’