NEW INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24135, 29 November 1941, Page 13

NEW INDUSTRY

MILLS AT PENROSE MODERN USE OF TIMBER MINISTER'S COMMENDATION Every encouragement would be given by the Government to individuals or companies which sought to transform the raw materials of the Dominion into commodities, said tho Minister of Finance and Customs, the Hon. W. Nash, at the official opening of the new mills of New Zealand Forest Products, Limited, at Penrose, yesterday afternoon. Tho Minister and other speakers congratulated the company on its initiative, entorprise and determination to utilise the country's trees in a new industry for the manufacture of insulating board and allied products. \ The chairman of directors, Mr. D. Henry, welcomed tho Minister and the guests numbering about 500, including the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Mr. J. L. Menzies, Australian Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, Sir Charles Marr, a member of the Australian House of Representatives, Mr. J. Truscott, president of tho Auckland Manufacturers' Association, the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, and the Mayor of One Tree Hill Borough, Mr. I. J. Goklstine, in which borough the industry has been established. Ministers' Help Appreciated The 'help which Mr. Nash had given to the company in securing the necessary machinery and in other ways was acknowledged by Mr. Henry. He also expressed appreciation of the assistance rendered by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the lion. I). G. Sullivan. The visitors had seen something of the process of transforming trees into valuable products, he continued. The company had 175,000 acres of trees. It. could only use about 300 acres according to present plans and it was a challenge to the company and to every New Zealander to make full use of this wonderful asset. The company was probably unique in the British Empire in that it had 70,000 shareholders drawn from the Dominion which had 17,400. Australia, Britain, India, Malaya and China. They represented practically every walk' of life. The plant being opened should provide for all New Zealand's needs in insulating building board. Initiative and Hard Work Mr. Nash .said tho company had set out in the face of difficult circumstances and by its initiative and enterprise had reached the stage when the raw materials of the country could be utilised. It was that spirit which was essential to the winning of the war against an enemy which had shown itself to be powerful in organisation and working strongly. "We can only win by working harder than they are and showing an organisation and determination and initiative stronger than theirs," Mr. Nash continued. "I believe we have right on our side and that the issue will resolve itself on our side but only if we work harder than we are doing today." Great Asset in Trees It was tho Government's job to help in the production of commodities in instances like this and the countrycould only advance as it should by production of goods which could bo exported in return for goods that the Dominion did hot produce but required. To the extent that this company was doing that job it deserved the appreciation and support of the people. New Zealand's good fortunue m the possession of huge tracts of trees was a blessing, said Mr. Nash, as he regarded wood as being one of the most important raw materials in the future. Tho supplies of metals were not inexhaustible but trees could continue to be grown. There were 839.000 acres of trees in the country, and the State owned 656,000 acres of those. It would take 500 years at the present rate of use to consume the present stock of trees. Importance in Wartime "If we get initiative as exemplified by this company's actions I have no doubt we shall find ways and means of using them," he added. The importance of timber in wartime was shown, ho said, by the fact that 100,000,000 square feet of timber had been required for cases to send munitions and commodities to the troops in the Middle East since the war started. In wishing the company's activities every success Mr. Nash said he hoped the board it produced would be used to make homes for the people in winch they would enjoy the freedom and privileges they were now fighting for. On behalf of the company, Mr. Henry presented Mr. Nasll With <1 portrait of himself cut in relief from a piece of the. firm's board and tinted by an Auckland artist.