FROM OTHER SOURCES

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22894, 15 December 1939, Page 10

FROM OTHER SOURCES

IMPORT OF BUILDING MATERIALS MINISTER’S STATEMENT ON POSITION Concern at the shortage of certain building materials, such as galvanised iron, nails, piping, and electrical equipment, has been expressed in Ch.ristclru.rcli during the last week, and, taking up the case of those affected, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce sent a telegram to the Minister for Customs (the Hon. W. Nash) asking what steps the Government was prepared to take to meet the situation. The following reply was received by telegram yesterday afternoon:— “Shortage supplies certain building materials at present time is attributable largely to difficulty in obtaining supplies from customary sources. Government appreciate position and are doing whatever is possible in circumstances to overcome difficulty. Where necessary, importation is being permitted from other sources. Unfortunately position has been aggravated by loss of goods, urgently needed, in wreck of Waikouaiti, and facilities are being granted for replacement of these. Every endfeavour is being made to issub all licences as expeditiously as possible and it is suggested that the attention of the Controller of Customs be drawn to any particular cases for which urgent consideration is specially desired.”