SILK FROM SUGAR CANE

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1929, Page 3

SILK FROM SUGAR CANE

PRODUCT OF QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIAN AFFORESTATION. AUCKLAND DOCTOR’S RETURN. Having been on a visit to Australia for the purpose of advancing the interests of an afforestation enterprise in New Zealand, of which he is chairman of directors, there returned to Auckland by the Marama from Sydney, Dr. W. H. Horton. He was accompanied by Mr. H. P. Maguire, secretary of the company. “Although the general opinion in business and professional circles in Sydney and Melbourne is that Australia is on the eve of a depression, there appears to be plenty of money available for investment,” said Dr. Horton. “The belief in Australia also is that New Zealand is ‘round the corner,’ and in a very satisfactory position. There is a great deal of anxiety in view of the earthquakes, however, and it is very apparent that there will be a shrinkage in next season’s tourist traffic as a result.”

Discussing afforestation in Australia, Dr. Horton explained that the Commonwealth was not doing much in this direction except in the tropical parts of Queensland —hilly country that had an abundant rain supply. Australia was badly in need of afforestation enterprise, as they were particularly short of softwoods.’ A venture that was likely to affect the pulp industry in New Zealand was being carried on in Queensland, where the waste from sugar cane was being used to manufacture artificial silk, although as yet he was not aware of paper being manufactured from it. There was a feeling in Australia, which had from £2,000,000 to £3,000,000 invested in afforestation in New Zealand, that there should be some guarantee against “wild cat” schemes, and Dr. Horton thought that the Government might consider the question of giving this by supervising, though not interfering with, afforestation schemes.