TIMBERLANDS ENTERPRISE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 535, 19 May 1933, Page 4

TIMBERLANDS ENTERPRISE

The most marked and butstanding indication of approaching industrial development iii i;his district is the decision of Timbeflands Woodpulp, Ltd., to erect a large modern mill iii the Bay of Plenty fbt the tiiaiiufacture of wo'bdpulp and paper: The pfoject constitutes one of th'e oiggest financial and industrial developments yet attempted iri New Zealand and the sucbessful operation of the mill must iiievitably have a material affect upon our national wealth production. There are approximate'y 300,000 acres bf plaiite'd forests in this district apart from extensive areas,„ of native timber, and when these forests be-

come productive by the estab- ' ishment of a great industry the pathway should be opened to widespread, profitable employment. The direct influence of the company's operations upon this district may be estimated from the fact that the capital outlay upon the mill will run into £650,000, with an additional £120,000 for th'e township to house the workers. Of this amount £180,000 will be distributed in wages during construction work while £1000 a week will be paid out in wages and salaries when the mill is in permanent operation. What a big diifererice this will mean to our district can easily

be visualised, especially when •suibsidijafry developmenti con^equent upon the working of the forests is taken into consideration. But the prospect is altogether too importaUt to be viewed from a parochial standpoint. The Timberlands mill may be but the pioneer of similar secondary industries for which New Zealand is specially adapted, and there seems no reason to doubt access to profitable markets. There is a steadily increasing demand for paper and

pulp products throughout the world and there is no reason whatever why New Zealand with our natural resources, should not obtain a share. At the same time timber supplies overseas are diminishing thus providing a promising opportunity for any manufacturing company which can placb its paper products upon the market at rvTm-> o+i f i vp. nrices. IVith ouf ex-

isting forest areas and the remarkably rapid growth of exotic trees ample supplies should be available to meet requirements for many years and abundant water should assist in economic production. Taken all in all the project is fu.ll of promise^ aiid Timberlands and the Dominion are both to be congratulated upon the launching of the undertaking. .