THE PRICE OF CEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 161, 9 July 1926, Page 4

THE PRICE OF CEMENT.

DOWN 6/ A TON,

A WANGANUI COMPLAINT

At the last meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, Mr. W. Brown, chairman of the committee which has been investigating the difference in the price of cement in Wanganui as "umpired with other centres, submitted a short report. He stated that he haj been able to obtain a few igures which might interest members. The price of cement in Wanganui was £6 15/ per ton on trucks. In Wellingtoi it was £5 9/6, plus 3/ for cartage and delivery f.o.r. Wellington. In Napier it was £(5 7/, Palmerston North £6 12/ on trucks, H&wera £7 2/ on trucks, and at <ew Plymouth £6 11/6. He could not ascertain why English cement could not be shipped to Wanganui when it could be 6hipped to New Plymouth, and in all the towns which were able to land English cement the price of the New Zealand article was cheaper. Mr. Gilberd stated that upwards of .100 tons of cement was used in Wanganui monthly. For this the consumer was penalised about £700 a mouth in cost alone. It was resolved to write to the cement companies in New Zealand in regard to the matter before bringing it under the notice of the- M'Jster of Internal Affairs, and subsequently to get into touch with agents representing English companies asking for quotations for cement landed in Wanganui. The position in Auckland is that cement is being sold at £5 2/ per ton ex store, a reduction of 0/ per ton having been made on July 1. Auckland cement is shipped to Wanganui, but the extra handling and freight charges are very heavy, amounting" to £2 3/ to *2 4/ per ton.