NEED FOR SCRAP RUBBER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 29 September 1943, Page 5

NEED FOR SCRAP RUBBER

USE FOR RETREADING MOTORISTS SHOULD EXAMINE TYRES The importance of collecting scrap rubber is emphasised by the need for retreading rubber and the use to which it can be put. The firm which carries out the retreading of tyres in Nelson recently completed its two thousandth tyre. Most of these were done with B grade rubber manufactured from scrap. A few were treated with A grade rubber which is of practically normal peacetime quality. There is a large quantity of old rubber in Nelson which will shortly be sent away to the South Island mill, but the two mills operating in New Zealand for the treatment of scrap are urgently requiring further supplies. ‘Stocks in hand are inadequate to meet the demand. In an appeal stressing the need for continuing the collection of scrap rubber, proceeds from the sale of which go to patriotic funds, the Retreaders’ Association states: “We in New Zealand ai'e so far away from the base of supply that we are stil 1 in the position where scrap rubber will be needed for many months to come, and in the meantime the responsibility is on us all to continue the collection of scrap rubber.” Products made from scrap rubber include the soles of tennis shoes, rubber heels, gum boots, battery boxes, rubbei mountings of dozens %f types for the army, navy and air force, and insulators, as well as retreading* rubber. The Nelson Oil Fuel Committee also points out the big saving made in new tyres through retreading, which was a big help, particularly to country people, who might otherwise have to go without tyres. It is hoped that motorists will have their tyres examined and retreaded before they go beyond the stage where they can be retreaded. Vehicle owners can get another 7,000 or 8,000 miles of use from a tyre which has been retreaded. There is stated to be an adequate supply of B grade rubber to meet the needs of country people, but new tyres are not available.