RUBBER SHORTAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 301, 21 December 1945, Page 5

RUBBER SHORTAGE

N.S.W. STRIKES PREVENT LIFTING N.Z. CONTROLS (P.A.) Auckland, Dec. 20. An indication that the strike in Australia has prevented the lifting of rubber controls in New Zealand was given by Mr. A. M. Seaman, chairman ot directors of Reid (New Zealand) Rubber Mills, Ltd., when addressing the shareholders at. the annual meeting. “In spite of various optimistic messages from overseas about the ending of all troubles due to the rubber shortage, the position in the Dominion is that stocks of raw rubber are very low,” said Mr. Seaman. “Substantial shipments are on the way and would have been here some weeks ago but tor shipping delays, arising from the regrettable industrial upsets in Australia. It had been confidently anticipated by the authorities that rubber controls in the Dominion could be almost entirely lifted by the end ot this month, and substantial additions to release quotas of several important lines have already been made Meantime, further relief has been stayed, and the general lifting of controls must he delayed for an appreciable time longer.” Mr. Seaman mentioned that liberation of the main rubber producing countries came just in time to rondo’* if unnecessary for the company 10 change over from natural to synthetic rubber as its basic raw material.