SALVAGING OF RUBBER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25015, 8 September 1942, Page 2

SALVAGING OF RUBBER

VALUE OF CAMPAIGN, STRESSED (Special) AUCKLAND, Sept. J. The value of the waste rubber now being collected was referred to by Mr G C W. Reid, managing director of Reid' (New Zealand) Rubber Mills. "We are making between three and four tons of reclaimed rubber a week," Mr Reid said, "but when production is in full swing this will be considerably increased. We are using special machinery imported into the Dominion last year at a cost of about £IO,OOO. " Mechanically, used rubber can be incorporated into most articles, but in actual fact it is not suitable for any article which is to come into contact with foodstuffs or which is required to possess a high flexing quality,' Mr Reid added. "After processing the material possesses many of the properties and qualities of raw rubber. Mr Reid explained that motor tyres were the most practicable form of usable waste rubber which the public could provide. It was an economic and patriotic necessity for everyone to help conserve the country's rubber stocks by providing as many old tyres as possible. If the war lasted for several years vet, reclamation of used rubber might play a very important part in the Empire's war effort, he said. He believed that the Government should set a fixed price to be paid for used rubber. The proceeds go to the Patriotic Fund.