INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26393, 11 April 1951, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL

SHORTAGE IN NEW ZEALAND USE IN PREPARATION OF MEDICINES Industrial alcohol is scarce in New Zealand. The shortage, which has been caused by lack of shipping from Australia, affects chemical manufacturers, hospitals, and doctors.. Only one company in Australia supplies New Zealand’s requirements, and it has made representations to shipping companies to see if more shipping space can be provided this year. In 1948, 385,454 gallons were shipped from Australia. In 1949 there were 319,887 gallons sent, and last year the figure dropped to 271,841 gallons. The annual requirement is estimated at 500,000 gallons. One Christchurch manufacturer who requires rectified spirits for the manufacture of essential pharmaceutical medicines, recently received a small shipment, but only enough to last a month or perhaps six weeks. His requirements are for medicines prescribed by doctors. There is no substitute, as the wine fortifying spirit, cannot be used.

If shipping can be supplied, the Australian suppliers undertake to fill New Zealand’s requirements. The shipping companies’ difficulties have been increased by the regulation of the Commonwealth Navigation Department placing white spirit in the same category as petrol. Thus only a maximum of 15 tons of white spirit can be carried on the deck of each vessel. With the slow turn-round of shipping only limited quantities can be supplied.