ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29350, 1 November 1960, Page 27

ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY

“Chances Very, Very Good”

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 31. The- chances at a £lsom aluminium smelting industry being established in New Zealand in the next few years are very, very good, according to Dr. G. J. Williams, Dean of the Faculty of Technology of the University of Otagq. “If it comes at all, it will come to Manapouri,” he said, speaking to the Auckland Rotary Club this afternoon. Aluminium smelting was the biggest industry that could possibly come to New Zealand, said Dr. Williams, and it was one that was almost within the grasp at the moment. Bauxite, the raw material for the industry, was not found in New Zealand in any great quantities. but a quarter of the world’s reserves were in Northern Queensland, along the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria. “But we have cheap electricity here,” said Dr. Williams. “Why don’t we export It, in the form of goods, mainly metal goods, fashioned by it in Nev? Zealand?” The industry would need a labour force of about 6000 men, which, with families ajid additional services, would practically double the population of the Bluff-Invercargill area. At present it was proposed that, rather than spending thd full £lsom in capital development at once, the unused half of the Roxburgh power scheme be made available immediately. Generators for a further 150.000 kilowatts were being installed at the scheme now. While this power was in use it would give about five years for the development of the Manapouri scheme. At first the lake would be used to the present level, and it might be 20 years before the level might have to be raised.