THE RUBBER INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17687, 26 July 1919, Page 7

THE RUBBER INDUSTRY

A REVOLUTIONARY PROCESS. An important invention, which it is claimcd will revolutionise tho rubber industry throughout tho world, has recently been brought under tho notice of investors in Now" Zealand. Tho proprietors of tho invention assert that they possess a process which will cnablo a. company actually to control tho entire trado of tho dominion in motor car tyros, floor coverings, beltings, tho leather trade, ujjJiolstery, and all watorproof articles. They aro strengthened in this belief by tho tests which have been mado by unbiassed scientists and experts in tho rubber and kindred industries, and tho bona fides of tho claims mado for tho process of manufacture aro indisputable. Tho inventor of the process is Mr William Stocks, a nativo of Duncdin, and now of Melbourno. Mr Stooks has had over a quarter of a century's experience in tho rubber trado. Ho shares the ownership of the invention with four other gentlemen, inoluding Mx John Baxter, who is well known in the commercial life of tho dominion. Tho claims of the inventor in his complete specification are as follows:—(1) A now _ or improved composition of matter, consisting essentially in an association or blending together of virgin rubber and a meal or flour obtained from grinding old or waste vulcanised rubber under heated conditions, the blending being performed by rolling the ingredients into a plastio mass or dough to form a stock substantially aa and for the purposes set forth. (2) A new or improved composition of matter, consisting essentially in the association or blending together of virgin rubber, flour of sulphur, and a meal or floux obtained from grinding old or waste vulcanised rubbef under heated conditions, tho blending being performed by rolling the ingredients into a plastic mass or dough to form a stock substantially as and for the purposes set forth. (3) In a new or improved composition of matter: The matters claimed in claim (1) above, with the addition of white lead and castor oil substantially as and for the purposes set forth. (4) In a new or improved composition of matter: The matters claimed in claim (3) above, with an addition of pontcnac and dissolved resin, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. (5) In tho manufacture of a new or improved composition *of matter for use in lieu of leather and for other purposes: Tho_ method or process of manufacture hereinbefore do--1 scribed. The promoters think the time most opportune for the inauguration of such an industry. The U.S.A. Government has restricted the importation of crude rubber to 100,000 tons per annum—Government requirements aro to be met first, and tho remainder will be allotted amongst manufacturers on a basis of their consumption during 1917. This will mean a considerable reduction to makers of' American tyres and other rubber goods not holding Government contracts. Tho previous yearly importations of crude rubber into tho States has been about 157,000 tons, so that tho new restrictions moan a reduction of about onethird—a rather serious matter for the automobile industry of America.

The Advisory Board of the Now Zealand Rubber Products issued invitations to membora of the Chamber of Commerce, Expansion League, and members of the medical and dental professions to meet Mr Stocks, and to witness a practical demonstration. About 20 gentlemen wlio responded to the invitation assembled in the Express Company's buildings yesterday. Mr C. Todd (chairman of the Expansion League) was voted to the chair. He welcomed Mr Stocks as a native of Dunedin, and from what he had seen of the invention he concluded that he had brought a pretty good thing to them. The new company which was being promoted would, when manufacturing operations were commenced, greatly help the wealth of the country. There seemed t-o be money in the project. He thought it was the duty of fttho community to foster industries in which they could employ men and .women on the spot. Mr Stocks then gave a practical demonstration of articles manufactured by the process. Ho exhibited a largo number of samples of articles made by the scientific) use of plantation rubber and waste rubber. He believed that the processes would enable the company actually to control the entire trade of the dominion in tyres, floor covering, belting, and composition jjooda. The process for the composition goods used all wasto of various descriptions. Boot soleing could be sold at 9d per pound, thick linoleum at 2s per square yard, and machinery belting at Is per pound. There were two formulas—one for treating the crude rubber, and another for treating the products. In 1916 rubber goods and articles manufactured from rubber imported into New Zealand amounted in value to £1,175.083. Mr Baxter explained the financial aspect of the business, and answered a number of questions to the satisfaction of those asking them. He explained that it had been decided to float a company with a capital of £100,000. A vote of thanks to Messrs Stocks and Baxter for the information given was carried by acclamation.