INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12638, 24 May 1919, Page 10

INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE.

EVIDENCE OF EXPERTS. IRON ORE AND ALCOHOL. (Psb Press Ashocutiox.] WELLINGTON, May 24. t Giving ovidcitPo boforn tho Industries (/omuiittee Air .Morgan, Government Geologist, stated that tho Parapani block would probably win tain 63.000,004) tons of iron oro, avora; ,np about <ls per cent oi metallic ore, which, thonv tore, would ho of medium grade. Tho moat extensive! deposits of iron, lie said, wore near Paten, whore 6,374,000 tons of high grade ore were believed to exist. In tho production of pig iron he would try tho Parapara ore first as it couki bo "worked more cheaply tiuin the Tarnnaki iron sand. Ho thought it bettor for the Government to build its own works than to pay tho subsidy that had been asked to assist private enterprise, Air Morgan states he wasmisreported in his evidence on oil prospects, and that ho really 7 said tho tiro Hirer discoveries were not of great value. Giving evidence before the Industries Committee Dr MacLaurin advocated making commercial alcohol from waste products, particularly sawdust and waste from flax mills. He considered tho matter well worthy of the fullest investigation. Alcohol had been mado on a commercial scale in America at B|d to Is per gallon, and it averaged fifteen gallons to n ton of dry wood. On that basis it should bo practicable in Now Zealand. To prevent abuse in production it should be a Government monopoly. ■ • CARTERTON SITTING. [From Our Correstondext.] IVELLINGTON, May 24. Tho Industries Committee sat at Carterton this morning. Evidence was given urging tho Rimutaku, deviation; the importance of, overcoming tho prejudice against New Zealand manufactured boots and shoes, knitted yarns and clothing: Government upkeep of the main arterial road: more urgent inspection of Australian imported wheat, both in Australia, and on arrival iu New 7 Zealand, particularly in. regard to the weevil; inspection' of ehalf and oats from tho South Island to prevent tho spread of Californian thistle; the importance, of appointing in slice tors and instructors to visit cheese and butter factories, and to establish a proper system of testings; birds’ reservation ; while pine for cheese cases; better facilities for the transport of live stock and perishable goods; abolition of extra freight on imported coal; to aid local bodies to undertake the erection of workers’ dwellingsThe speakers were IV. Howard Booth fMayor), S. Davies (Tradesmen’s Association), 0. Moncrieff (secretary cheese factories), H. M. B. Trapp (Borough Council), J. A. Da deem (Wairarapa. Brick, Tile and Drain Pips Co.), TV - . J. O’Meara (wonvil in wheat). Mr Booth also urged the reversion to the pre-war railway timetable for the Wairarapa and a non-stop run between Upper Hutt and Wellington. Tho wants of that district were being supplied by a suburban service. " Tho committee left at 11-45 a.m. in motor-cars for Greytown, and thence will tour the lower valley and sit at Mastarton on Monday at 9.30 a.m.