Further Expert Advice Considered Necessary on State Paper Mill Project

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27090, 26 May 1949, Page 8

Further Expert Advice Considered Necessary on State Paper Mill Project

PA AUCKLAND, May 25. More than one group of experts should be consulted on the merits of the Government’s pulp and paper manufacturing project, said Sir Cecil Leys, chairman* of New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., in an address at the annual meeting of shareholders this afternoon.

“This year a matter which is of grave concern to all newspapers received mention several times in the daily press,” said Sir Cecil. “ The Government has announced Its intention to develop a pulp and paper establishment near Murapara. This project may be desirable. There is no doubt that a pulp and paper mill, with New Zealand’s vast forest resources, merits serious consideration, but we think the project has not been given the detailed investigation it requires. The Government’s attitude suggests a determination to go ahead at all costs. “The establishment of a paper mill presents highly technical and complex problems,” Sir Cecil continued. “ Errors in calculation may prove very costly and false conclusions at the planning stage disastrous. This is common knowledge, and it would be expected that the Government would proceed with caution. The main adviser is an American machinery company instead of the independent engineer consultants that are available in all countries where the papermaking industry is successfully established. In public statements the Commissioner of State Forests has made it clear that the Government is relying implicitly on the advice of this company. “The paper-making scheme in New Zealand is an undertaking of such magnitude and importance that for the Government to take the advice of any one group of individuals, however reputable—and the repute of this firm in its own field is not questioned —is palpably unsound. It may be that this company would be in accord with the views of other experts, but it would seem obvious that more than one group of experts should be consulted. • “Apart from the unsatisfactory technical approach by the Government, the suggestion that the mill will be Stateowned is disturbing," Sir Cecil concluded. -/‘Other examples of State control do not lead us to believe that this will make for efficiency.”