THE SHORTAGE OF WRAPPING PAPER

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6101, 12 September 1947, Page 4

THE SHORTAGE OF WRAPPING PAPER

THE EDITOR’S COMMENT.

IN view of the fact that there has been considerable comment and some action in connection with the shortage of wrapping paper in Cambridge since the war, it will be of some interest to give a few facts concerning the manufacture of this commodity in the Dominion and to show that the South Island mills have no hope of coping with the increased demand. This information will also indicate that the local bakers, who were mentioned in the recent comment and action, are very definitely unable to obtain anywhere near sufficient supplies to enable them to wrap bread. New Zealand is short of wrapping paper for two reasons: (1) From the inability of overseas countries to provide the quantities formerly imported; (2) from the inability of local production- to cope with the increased demand. Supplies of wrapping paper were actually 1,000 tons more than in 1939; but they still fall short by about 2,000, tons. It is estimated that to satisfy the present annual demand 10,000 tons of wrapping paper would be needed. The 1939 supplies comprised 6,000 tons of New Zealand-made paper and 1,150 tons of imported paper. , Last year local production was 8,000 tons, but only 150 tons could be imported. Local production of wrapping paper comes from the Southland Mills, which are slowly increasing their output.

Their 1946 total of 8,000 tons is 2,000 tons more than their 1939 figure —their production has nearly doubled in the last ten years. Larger imports will also be possible as the supply countries—Britain and' Sweden—get back to full scale production. The present shortage in New Zeaeven more acute owing to the coastal even more acute owing to the costal shipping position. The supply does not come through regularly,, so that a period of some weeks, when there is not enough paper to go round, is followed by an acute shortage. The increased post-war demand is due to the growth of trade and to post war shortages of alternative and special packing materials, such as cardboard and greaseproof paper, which has led to the extended use of kraft wrapping (brown paper) as a substitute. Brown paper is also used in increasing quantities for the manufacture of multi-walled bags for packing flour, cement,, etc. The New Zealand factory, which started operations in 1887 with an output of 100 tons, has steadily increased production. A comparison of supplies over the last ten years is as follows: 1 N.Z. Made Imported 1936 ...... 4,468 1,500 1939 6000 1,150 1942 ...... 6,500 172 1946 8,000 150 It should be appreciated from the foregoing that wrapping paper will be in short supply in this country for a long time and We will have to meet the situation with alternatives. Greater use will have to be made of the cotton bags, and baskets.