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Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1931, Page 4

Whii.e it is true that the timber trade at this juncture is far from flourishing, there is at least satisfaction in knowing that the asset is not wasting, but is maturing steadily and stands ready for marketing as opportunity offers. Westland is well blessed with its asset Value of timber. In particular, it has a great store of white pine. It is said that four-fifths of the white pine in New Zealand, ill Centred ill Westland. White, pine is of definite value because of its use for butter boxes, aiul iiiust find a. iimrket always. There is tin enormous Output of butter 111 New Zealand, for which boxes must he found,. The North Island alone, requires over three million and tvhalf butter boxes per annum, and about a million cheese crates. The South Island demand is not so large, but the aggregate butter boxes required must bo over five million, and upward of two million cheese crates. There is an opening for a large box-making industry in this district where the principal commodity—white pine—is at hand. It is a fact that the box-making ’ndustrv at present- carried on, on the Coast is not equal to the requirements, nor is it on a scale large enough to compete necessarily with the imported article. There is, however, a prejudice against the latter when the butter lias to be stored unduly, and with that advantage to begin with, the locally manufactured article if turned out on a large scale, could be able to compete successfully at an attractive figure. There certainly seems to be the opening for the industry on a considerable scale. The enterprise should command itself to those with capital to establish the industry. Seeing that Westland is the repository of such large quantities of white pine, it, seems but natural that this should be the location of the industry to use the commodity for articles of a saleable nature. The white pine would become part and parcel of the export value of the local products, and going overseas would mean the return of substantial wealth in the aggregate for the benefit of trading generally. The project, has much to commend it, and it would not be . surprising to find the industry taken up here with real zest in the near future.