NEWSPRINT SUPPLIES.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLVII, Issue 52, 31 December 1920, Page 3

NEWSPRINT SUPPLIES.

SUGGESTED MANTOAOTTTBX, l'n connection with .the report in circulation that arrangements are in tend by 'tfiie New Zealand Newspaper Proprietors' Association to take up the problems of " newsprint manufacture," Mr'W. G. Boonman, who is iuivestigatiiig papermaking on its belhalf, reported to tlhe Manawatta -Flax-miller's Association that he wafe certain .the difficulty of tie torowiu stiain which ftax fibre gives ia the maniifacture of paper could 1 ; be removed. Mr Boorman, however,: said 'he "was principally interested in, "newsprint paper." New Zealandnewspapers used 150,000 tons per annum,, and t'he Newspaper Proprietors': Association lhad appointed a committee which ihad asked Mm to co-operate with it as a mechanical and consulting expert. .

, McMurrav said that before!? flarniille'rs could negotiate it would be® necessary to girattintfe sufficient sup-: plies of fibre to ensure from 50 to 100 tons per day of finished! pulp for a? period oif several ytfatt. Mr J. H. Stevens, who also made in-' quiries, submitted a report <wthidh dealt! with fibre in three sections, (a) fori wrapping papers and 'paper bags, (b) t for newsprint, and (e) fertilisers and'.: foodstuffs. The report said tlhat until means are 'found to eliminate colouring flax .fibre was not suitable for the nianu- 1 fia&tufe of newsprint and writing paper.! The vegetable article of flax lhad been found an excellent, substitute for stablfe manure as a fertiliser. It was also of value im stock foods.

. A committee, consisting of Messrs I Stevensj McMurrav and Bell, .was 1 formed on behalf of the Flaximillem' I Association to go fully into the matter i and ascertain: (a) The amount of flax I milled; (b) Hie annual output of byi products; (c) t'he approximate aimotlht of waste.

I Mr J. H. Dolamofe> manager of -tlhe . New Zealand Paper 'Mills, Ltd 1 ., Dunj edin, <wa ; s also present at the 'meeting, ; and made a tour of the flaxmills ibefore i returning, south. , I The statements made recently con- | cerning 'the utilisation of the iby-pro-I duets of flax for paper manufacture j were confirmed toy 'Mr Dolamore. He said lie was confident that 'they, could be utilised Iby 'his company, 'but before anything could be put upon l a definite footing he would' "have to confer with t'he will managers. At the same time "Mr Dolamore wished' to make i't clear' that by-products are not an ideal ma- . terial. The 'best paper-mill chemists in, : the world, including the Germans, have ■been unable 'to achieve success with' I flax, but the New Zealand mills have succeeded in solving the problem to a j great extent, and intend pushing the . work forward'.