Rubber Drive Is Big Success In Taranaki

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1942, Page 2

Rubber Drive Is Big Success In Taranaki

Many motor tyres taken to depots. As the result of the first drive for rubber organised by the Central and South Taranaki reclamation of waste material committees, substantial quantities have been collected at depots at Straford, Eltham and Hawera. Although no organised drive has been held in the North Taranaki area, considerable supplies of old rubber have been delivered to the waste material depot at New Plymouth and to garages in the district. After a meeting at Stratford on August 1 of representatives of several Taranaki reclamation waste material committees, it was decided to organiSe a drive for rubber throughout the province. On behalf of the Taranaki provincial reclamation of waste material committees Mr. W. F. Ross, secretary, Stratford, circularised waste committees and dairy factory managers, suggesting August 22 as the date for the final effort of the drive. Three Railway Trucks. A quantity estimated at three railway truck loads has already been collected at Stratford and there is a large amount waiting at dairy factories. Last week

supplies were still bemg received. Although the drive was considered successful, the organisers were satisfied that there were still large quantities on farms and in houses that had not yet been collected. The bulk of rubber articles offered comprised old tyres. All sections of the community in South Taranaki were invited to contribute to the campaign, and so far splendid results have been achieved at Hawera, where the staff of the Hawera Technical High School with the assistance of the pupils conducted a house-to-house canvass that resulted in the collection of more than 400 tyres, scores of hot water bottles, and dozens of other old rubber articles. This was the first concentrated effort, and the result was far in excess of expectations, and was indicative of what could be achieved if all closely settled areas were combed similarly.

Co-operation of Farmers. The co-operation of farmers is being sought in South Taranaki country districts, which are expected to produce large quantities of rubber waste. Factory suppliers have been requested to take their rubber waste to the factory, and when sufficient has been collected arrangements will be made for its removal. The importance of rubber reclamation has been stressed at several meetings of factory shareholders, and it is hoped that the fruits of these appeals will be harvested in the near future. Country contributions, which are at present stored at dairy factories, are expected to augment . considerably a large collection of old rubber, chieflly motor and cycle tyres, that stands at the Eltham raiiway. station as a result of the drive. Although a considerable quantity oi rubber had already been handed in at the New Plymouth depot, it was nothing in comparison with the amount expected in the future, said the chairman of the New Plymouth reclamation of waste material committee, Mr. H. J. Butler, last night. Because of petrol and transport difficulties no organised collection had been arranged at New Plymouth, but he felt that the public should realise the urgency of the need for rubber and should bring in every available ounce of rubber without waiting for it to be collected. "If people will let us know we will do our best to arrange to collect accumulations of rubber which cannot be delivered at the depot," Mr. Butler continued. 'The need for reclamation of waste material will not end until the war finishes," he added, "and the public must realise that its co-operation will be constantly required." More than 200 old motor tyres that have i either been brought in or have been collected by members of the committee are stored at the New Plymouth depot. In addition there is a medley of hot water bottles, garden hose lengths, goloshes, rubber shoes, pram tyres, bicycle tubes and even rubber door stops.