KAURI GUM USES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21717, 5 February 1934, Page 10

KAURI GUM USES

RESEARCH IN AMERICA

NEW ZEALANP CO-OPERATION GOVERNMENT ASKED TO HELP OUSTING SYNTHETIC PRODUCT A request for assistance in helping the American Gum Importers' Association in research work for the purpose of finding ways and means of placing natural gums in competition with synthetic gums has been made to the Government by the Auckland Kauri Gum Industry Association. The position will be placed before a meeting of the industry on Wednesday, when further steps will be decided upon. In reply to the request from the association for funds to foster research work, the Prime Minister, tlio E,t. Hon. G. W. Forbes, to whom the matter was referred by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, pointed out that owing to financial difficulties finance could bo provided only from the levy under the Kauri Gum Control Act. As it had been proposed to remove the levy, this aspect will be considered at the meeting. In its letter to the Minister of Lands the association said: —"The kauri gum industry is in a critical position. The advent of synthetic gums and quickdrying lacquers and varnishes has boon responsible for the better grades of kauri gum being almost wholly neglected. This is shown by the fact that normal shipments have dropped from about 8000 tons a year to about 3000 tons, of which less than 20 per cent is used for the manufacture of varnisb."

Various Countries Assist The American association, in its work to improve the position in regard to natural gums, had been assisted by various countries producing natural gums. New Zealand exporters had been voluntarily subscribing to the organisation, but owing to depreciating business the amount subscribed had fallen a long way short of that required to make a success of the work. "In view of the critical position, wo feel compelled to ask the Government to provide funds, or to send a representative to assist the American Gum Importers' Association in their research," the letter added.

In reply to tho letter the Primo Minister stated that such a work could only be financed from the levy and asked whether the association would approve of the whole of the levy being used for research in the manner suggested, it being understood that tho association should be joined with the Research Committee of Control set up to conduct the research. The attitude of the association will be decided at Wednesday's meeting. "Depending Upon England"

"For a period prior to the past several weeks, the kauri gum market was fairly active, but at present there is little movement," said Mr. E. H. McUveen, chairman of the Kauri Gum Industry Association, on Saturday. "We are depending upon England for a market for kauri gum, exports to the Continent and America having fallen away." It appeared that overseas interests wore buying on a hand-to-mouth system This was indicated bv the fact that American buyers did not take advantage of movements of the dollar, but only replenished stocks when they were obliged to. The association has been successful in obtaining a reduction of 5s a ton from the Overseas Shipowners' Allotment Committee on freight charges for kauri gum, the reduction having been made effective from February 1. "I consider the Government would be wise to foster movements which will result in improvement in the kauri gum industry, for kauri gum is one of the few New Zealand primary products America is willing to take from the Dominion," said Mr. Mcllveen.