Aluminium Plant For Southland

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 14

Aluminium Plant For Southland

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 20. Consolidated Zinc has decided to establish an aluminium smelter in Southland. Consolidated Zinc officials telephoned the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) from Melbourne at the week-end to tell him their decision. “This is great news for New Zealand,” said Mr Nash. The project is expected to bring £l6O million capital to Southland. The smelter will use bauxite from the Weipa deposits in Queensland.

Mr Nash said it was possible the company would use surplus power from Benmore so that it could make an early start on the smelting plant. Later, power will come from Lake Manapouri under the agreement made between the company and the Government last January. The agreement was embodied in the Manapouri-Te Anau Development Act passed by the House of Representatives this session. “There will be no question of raising the lake level for the first stage of the scheme for some years at least,” Mr Nash said. “By the time the company is ready to proceed with further stages the preservation of the lake shores will have been exhaustively investigated to ensure there will be no avoidable alteration to the existing scenery.” Mr Nash said the company’s

decision to establish the smelter in Southland was made after extensive investigations by company officials and consultants. ‘‘l am sure that not only the Government, but also the people of New Zealand, will feel gratified with the decision to locate this most important new industry here,” Mr Nash said. “A new economic era is opening for New Zealand, bringing a sounder long-term base for our prosperity and welfare. “I should like to express the Government's warm appreciation of the helpful and cooperative manner in which the company has carried on negotiations with us.” he said. The Minister of Works (Mr Watt) is expected to discuss details of the project by telephone with .Consolidated Zinc officials in Melbourne in the next few days.