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Cardboard Lined Plaster-board As local production of this material was not sufficient to meet the demand, licences were granted for the importation of approximately 3,500,000 square feet of board, but additional equipment calculated to double the present output of the Auckland factory is anticipated to be in operation by June of this year. Asbestos-cement Sheeting While supplies of raw asbestos fibre have improved as compared with last year, production of asbestos-cement sheeting still falls short of demand by about 2,500,(XX) square yards. Provision has been made for importation of both flat and corrugated sheeting, but owing to the limited availability of this material from sterling sources, it is not expected that the shortage will have been completely eliminated. Chemicals During the past year there has been a continued improvement in the supply and delivery of chemicals from soft-currency sources. This has been particularly so in the case of supplies from the United Kingdom whence a number of essential raw materials, previously obtainable only from hard-currency areas, have become available. Not only has the United Kingdom met our full requirements in the alkalis, but deliveries in dyes, pigments, oxides, and resins have returned to nearly normal quantities. With this very great improvement in the range of materials available from the soft-currency area, the necessity for recourse to hard-currency sources has been confined to a few specific items, such as natural rosin and carbon black. Soap and Candle Making With the ready supply of alkalis from the United Kingdom the manufacture of soap has continued at a high level, and output has been sufficient to permit export. Supplies of paraffin wax and stearine were adequate for candle-production, the demand for which rises considerably with lighting restrictions. Local requirements were adequately met and quantities were available for normal export trade. Cosmetic and Toilet Preparations This industry is well established in New Zealand, there being adequate manufacturing capacity to meet the total demand. During the year proposals for the establishment of further units have been considered, but in view of the number and size of the units already engaged in this class of production, inquirers have not been encouraged to proceed with their plans, especially where, as in some cases, the proposed production would be subject to the payment of royalties in dollars. Matches There are now three units engaged in the production of matches, and although the total capacity of these units is sufficient to meet the whole demand, production has fallen short by approximately one-half of the demand. Present provision for importations together with local production is keeping the market well supplied. Plastics During the year the supply from the United Kingdom of moulding-powders, especially the thermoplastic type, has improved greatly, and the necessity for the importation of powders from dollar sources has been reduced considerably.

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