Interest in peat wax

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32562, 23 March 1971, Page 5

Interest in peat wax

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 21. Three companies, two of which afe overseas-owned, have expressed interest in New Zealand peat wax deposits and have lodged applications for prospecting rights over large areas of the Chatham Islands, the Minister of Mines (Mr Shelton) told Parliament, In a written answer to a Parliamentary question, Mr Shelton said that until the deposits had been thoroughly prospected, it was not possible to predict overseas earnings or financial benefits. Mr T. M. McGuigan (Lab., Lyttelton) asked whether the Government had any plans to develop the industry itself “having regard to the worldwide demand for montan wax.”

Mr Shelton said the Government believed in private enterprise rather than in State control of industry.

A Mines Department spokesman said later that "montan wax” was a mineral wax found in certain peat and lignite deposits and used in manufacture as a specialised filler.

Coast sawmillers’ officers. —The West Coast Sawmillers’ Association at its annual meeting elected the following officers: Chairman, Mr J. F. Gilbert; vice-chairman, Mr L. M. Gillions; committee, Messrs W. G. Bissell, J. S. Chapman, M. W. Curtis, D. R. Holcroft, R. G. Marston, M. B. Restall, I. B. Wilson; assistant secretary, Mr E. E. Mosley; secretary-treasurer, Mr P. M. MacShane.—(F.O.O.R.)