SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
either of primary or secondary production, in Australia has been under- 
taken against the strongest opposition—an opposition based largely upon 
technical ignorance, or lack of confidence in the people and in the 
country. When the manufacture of steel was suggested, it was thought, 
that the height of absurdity had been reached. ‘To suggest an inquiry 
into the practicability of making paper in Australia from Australian: 
timbers therefore involves grave risks, é 
Laboratory experiments carried out by the Institute encourage the 
belief, however, that satisfactory results can be obtained from the use 
of hardwoods. If these experiments are confirmed by experiments on 
a larger scale, the way to the establishment of a new and important 
local industry will be opened up. There are now good prospects of 
this intermediate step being taken. It is estimated that a sum of 
£10,000 will be required for the purchase and erection of the necessary 
plant to permit of the-laboratory results being interpreted on a com- 
mercial basis. The Minister for Trade and Customs (the Hon. W. 
_ Massy Greene) has promised to make £4,000 available for this purpose 
if the remaining sum is contributed by persons interested in the estab- 
lishment of the industry. The Forestry Commissions of New South 
Wales and Victoria also have each agreed to donate £1,000 towards the 
work. Requests, accordingly, have been addressed to various private 
firms for small contributions, and it is anticipated that the full amount 
will shortly be obtained. 
One of the objections frequently raised against experimental work 
in the past (and its echoes are still heard) is that, even should pulp 
of sufficiently good quality be obtained, our forest resources are utterly 
inadequate to provide continuous supplies of raw material. Forestry 
experts do not share this misgiving. Several experts competent to 
express an opinion upon this point unhesitatingly affirm that supplies 
of timber can be readily obtained. 
Mr. Boas has pointed out that it is too soon yet to state definitely 
what the economic possibilities are; but it is safe to say, from results 
obtained, that if a mill were to be erected to work on imported pulp, 
there is no doubt that, at the commencement, it would use a fair pro- 
portion of local pulp, and as further knowledge is obtained, this pro- 
portion could be largely increased. It would, moreover, make use of 
much timber now wasted, and enable the Forest Departments to more 
‘economically manage the forests. 
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