ALCOHOL AS FUEL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1940, Page 6

ALCOHOL AS FUEL

BIG EXPANSION, SCHEME

20,000,000 GALLONS A YEAR

The Australian War Cabinet has decided to expand- the : production of power, alcohol in,Australia. As a first step, an expert committee of investigation will e, be appointed >■ with the Assistant-Treasurer, Mr . Fadden, . as chairman. . This. decision was a sequel to reports placed before the Cabinet by Mr; Fadden,. who lias investigated, the possibilities of power, alcohol. pros duction to provide a .substitute fuel' for petrol, and to lay the foundations for a new development industry, in Australia.

The Prime Minister, Mr Menpies, said that the chief avenues that would be explored were the , molasses apd wheat industries. The committee, it is; believed, will consist of representatives of the cane and wheat growing industries, Mr Rogers (Commonwealth- Fuel Adviser), Mr Holines-Hunt (substitute fuels export, and Dr Harmon, of the Colonial Sugar; Refining Company. The Government’s decision to make these investigation, it' is .stated, > is designed to produce an annual .output far beond the 4,000,000 gallons, that • existing plant can turn out. A production of 20,000,000 gallons a year has been suggested by experts sis a reasonable goal. •' ' '• V; A If the- 'exert committee shows; thatthis is economically, reasonable, it is declared, many spirit distilleries now in existence will be used, and plant will bo imported from abroad by undertakings that are prepared to sponsor .tlie necessary outlay. The Government itself will not embark on any specific project.

If it is.shown that private enterprise could develop the industry, the Government will have to give an undertaking of long-term. security. This will probably mean extensive protective duties;