ALUMINIUM FOR N.Z.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 12

ALUMINIUM FOR N.Z.

Comalco Sales Expected

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Feb. 9.

Consolidated Zinc is unlikely to lose any argument over the right to sell aluminium products in New Zealand, according to Government industrial officials who have been taking part in discussions on the apparent contradiction in the agreements made by the Labour Government with the company and with Aioan Industries, Ltd., of Wiri.

It has not yet been resolved whether Alcan has a monopoly on the sale of aluminium products in New Zealand or whether the field must be shared with Comalco, a subsidiary of Consolidated Zinc, which will smelt Queensland bauxite in Southland. 1 Government sources say that the right to sell aluminium products in New Zea. land is in the Comalco agreement, having been mentioned in the preamble. Government officials say, however, that if there is confusion between the two agreements, Comalco is likely to take precedence. Their belief is based on the relative sizes of the two enterprises and their effect on the New Zealand economy. The Southland aluminium project, based on power from the southern lakes, is expected to save New Zealand an average of £2O million a year in sterling funds. The savings to be expected from the Alcan enterprise are no more than £200.000 a year.