Fast Growth Of Pulp, Paper Output

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30154, 11 June 1963, Page 18

Fast Growth Of Pulp, Paper Output

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON. June 9

‘Two tilings stand out in relation to the latest production figures fc<r pulp and paper—'the fast growth the industry has made since 1954, and the expansion planned for the immediate future,” said the Minister of Forests (Mr Gerard) in Wellington today, commenting on figures prepared by the New Zealand Forest Service.

“Paper and paper board production , has grown to 222.540 tons, something over £2O million in value, compared with 27.370 tons in 1954. The current figure is 11 per cent, higher than that for the previous year.

‘When we look art the pro-

duction planned we see even greater advances ahead. The industry expects to inerease

production by at least another 50 per cent by 1965, when the tonnage will be in the .vicinity of 350.000. Exixmded production is expected art all four mills Kinleith. Kawerau, Whakatane and Mataura. “Newsprint looms large on the horizwn of paper production. This yeaf's figure was 113,700 tons and next year it should be 190.000 tons. “A significant item for the industry's planning is the consumption of paper per head of population. This stands at 1991 b per head, placing New Zealand near the top of the world’s list of per capita usage," The Minister added that because of the great variety of paper and paper board in use today—there are several hun-

dred types of paper alone— New Zealand is likely to continue to-have substantial imports of these goods At the end of 1962. imports of paper and paper board amounted to £4.893.000.

Planning for export has received much' attention in the 'industry. Forest products comprised 56 per cent, of all New Zealand exports to Australia last year, with pulp and paper the major item. “We are now a net exporter of forest products,” said Mr Gerard.

“The latest figures for all products, logs and sawn timber, pulp and paper, and pa,per board, etc., are: "Imports, £7.260.000. ‘ ‘ Exports, £ 7.573.000

“Further expansion in the future." he said, ‘‘will be on the creddrt. side"