RIMU BOXES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 10

RIMU BOXES

PACKING OF BUTTER

SUITABILITY PROVEN

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

Arguments in favour of the use of rimu timber for the manufacture of butter-boxes as a substitute for white pine were advanced today by the Commissioner of State Forests, the Hon. F. Langstone.

Trial shipments to London had shown that' butter packed in rimu boxes was actually more free from taint than when packed in white pine boxes, be said. Further shipment:? were to be made this season with a view to the development of the use of rimu for this purpose.

"For many years," said the Minister, "it has been well known to the State Forest Service that rimu ns a butter-box container is as good, if not superior to, white pine. It sis free from taint and in other directions is quite satisfactory. There has been considerable prejudice against rimu in this connection, but recent tests have proved beyond a shadow of doubt that the timber is suitable for the purpose. The position has become so acute that it has been necessary to restrict the export of white pine to Australia, which, like New Zealand, is urgently in need of increased supplies for butter-box purposes. We have ample supplies of . rimu timber and if the dairy industry in Australia and New Zealand will gradually switch over io the use of that timber for butter-box purposes it will not only relieve the demand for white pine but will also give a fillip to the rimu trade, and we will be able to supply Australia's lull requirements without restriction."