SHORTAGE OF CEMENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 267, 23 August 1946, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF CEMENT

QUESTION ASKED IN THE HOUSE (P.A.) WELLINGTON. August 21. The present shortage of cement was discussed in the House of Representatives to-day, when Mr M. 11. Oram (Opposition, Manawatu), in an urgent question, asked the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple) to take steps to ensure the more equitable distribution of cement. Mr Oram said that of various firms using cement in-Feililing one, employing 10 men, had had to dispense with the services of seven, and could keep the other three returned men going only hy giving them part-time work on other jobs. Another company had received only eight tons during the last four weeks to meet urgent needs of 85) tons for primary industry and building needs. Another firm, employing 10 men on the manufacture of roofing tiles for State housing and rehabilitation, had been obliged to close its factory .for a fortnight. Mr Semple, replying, said the cement position was'particularly difficult at present, but everything possible was being done to ensure that supplies available were distributed equitably over the whole of New Zealand. Recently the output of the Golden Bay Cement Company had not been available because of lack of shipping and this had accentuated the difficulties. In the last few days four lots, totalling 18 tons, had been urgently ‘dispatched to Feilding for essential jobs. The Minister undertook to have an investigation made of the cases mentioned.