STARCH FROM POTATOES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24449, 7 November 1940, Page 14

STARCH FROM POTATOES

FACTORY IN MID-CANTERBURY A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY A factory for the extraction of starch from notatces will be opened at Barrhill, on the bank of the Eakaia River within the next few weeks, according to a statement made by Mr T. C McLachlan. of Corwar. chairman of the Mid-Canterbury Farmers’ Potato Pool, in an interview with the Christchurch Press. Some delay had been caused in establishing the factory because of negotiations to see if Government assistance could be given. Mr McLachlan said he had now been advised by Mr E. T. Cox (Dunedin), one of the promoters of the industry, that a subsidy of £6 a ten on manufactured starch which was equal to about £1 a ton on potatoes, would be given bv the Government The plant for the factory would be sent from Dunedin and erected in a large shed on his property which had been chosen because of its central position for growers, the size of the building, the availability of adequate water, and the advantage of disposing of waste in the Rakaia riverbed. As soon as the factory was ready fOr manufacturing it was proposed to work continuously in three eight-hour shifts.employing about eight men. until all the available potatoes were, treated. Mr McLachlan added. When the venture had been promoted about three months ago 5000 tons of potatoes had been offered in Mid-Canterbury, Circulars had been sent to members of the pool requesting them to hold their potatoes until the factory began operations he concluded