BUILDERS' ALARM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 6

BUILDERS' ALARM

NO CEMENT SUPPLIES

INDUSTRY THREATENED

All building firms may be forced to suspend their activities —a position threatening the employment of over 3000 operatives in the industry as well as allied trades—until such time as regular supplies of cement are available in the Auckland province. This statement was made this morning by Mr. A. Steven, president of the Auckland Master Builders Association. He revealed that members of his association were so alarmed at the position that has arisen following the virtual cessation of cement supplies for normal building purposes that they had asked the Mayor, Mr. Allum, to convene a meeting of representatives of all affected interests. This' meeting would be held in the Town Hall on Monday afternoon.

Urgent Action Demanded

"If the builders have to close down on their activities, the repercussions will be such that, not only will there be unemployment in the building trade itself, but also all sub-trades and the section of the manufacturing industry engaged in the supply of construction materials will be affected," declared Mr. Steven. "The position is such that it demands the most urgent attention of the Government to ensure that supplies of coal are made available for cement manufacturing." . Mr. Steven pointed out that the present position had been developing gradually over the past three months owing to lack of sufficient and regular supplies of coal. The local company required 1450 tons of coal, Including a large percentage of southern bituminous supplies, a week to maintain a normal cement output. This company, he said, had been operating to only 25 per cent of its capacity, and was now threatened with a complete stoppage. One southern company had already had to close down. Not only did lack of coal affect cement manufacture, but also 90 per cent of all industry supplying the building trade.

State Housing To Cease "It has been stated to-day by the Building Controller's office that State housing construction will virtually cease for an indefinite period," he said. "Home seekers, including returned servicemen, can give up all hope of securing accommodation for some time unless immediate drastic action is taken by the Government to improve the coal position. Can the people of the Auckland district, knowing full well that the acute shortage of houses is a national problem calmly accept the Government's statement that no more coal is available?"

Among other building activities affected by the shortage of cement are those concerned with the erection of 11 classrooms at the Epsom Girls' Grammar School and the erection of a permanent workshop block at the Otahuhu Technical High School. It is expected that work at the Grammar School will be suspended within a few days. Ih this case there will be little hope of the classrooms being completed before the next school year, though it was originally hoped to have them ready for next term.