MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25178, 8 May 1947, Page 3

MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRY

SHORTAGES CAUSE CONCERN PIG IRON AND WOOLLEN PIECE GOODS Shortages of materials for industry are causing grave concern to manufacturers in Canterbury, according to the secretary of the Canterbury Mahufacturers’ Association (Mr R. T„ Alston). He said yesterday that the supply position for woollen piece goods and pig iron was critical, while there were shortages of plywood, hessian, and tow for upholstery, upholstery tacks, and bottles. Mr Alston said that supplies of halfinch upholstery tacks were not coming forward from Australia or Canada; One Christchurch factory had only enough tacks for three weeks’ work. At the end of that time the factory would have to close and put off some 40 men until tacks were available. The association had asked that the Commissioner of Supply (Mr P. B. Marshall) should arrange for the Zealand Trade Commissioner in Sydney to obtain tacks immediately. If necessary the tacks would be flown to New Zealand. Outlook Grave "The woollen piece goods position la also critical, and unless some new source of supply is found, the outlook for a number of factories in Christchurch is very grave.” added Mr Alston. “Efforts are being made to obtain materials from Canada. Supplies of pig iron are more critical to-day than they have been for at least 12 months. One company has sufficient pig iron to carry on for 10 days. Efforts have been, made to obtain supplies from Broken Hill Proprietary, and the association has been advised that about 300 tons will be shipped for the South Island. Unfortunately we do not know when a ship will ba available to lift this pig iron.” Mr Alston said that a number of Christchurch firms were severely handicapped by lack of bottles from Auckland. Supplies were available, but the firms had been advised that there was little prospect of the manufacturers being able to ship even a portion of these supplies for some time. One firm had written to the association saying that apart from the dislocation of production and the shortage of finished goods to the trade and consumers, the South Island manufacturer was at a disadvantage as he was unable to compete with North Island manufacturers who were able to obtain materials and distribute finished goods promptly by rail. Homing Situation “The housing situation in Christchurch is being affected by the shortage of plywood,” said Mr Alston. “Furniture, joinery, and door manufacturers have been unable to obtain supplies, and because of the shortage many firms have been unable to complete contracts for housing work, and have had to put men on to other work. In some cases factories may be forced to close unless supplies can be procured.” Mr Alston added that plywood prices had been amended by the Price Tribunal, but manufacturers were not satisfied with the price fixed for plywood of 3-16 in thickness, which, they claimed, could not be produced on an economic basis. Manufacturers had now returned to full production, but users of plywood reported that they were still not getting the sizes they required. Referring to the shortage of hessian and tow for upholstery work, Mr Alston said .that this had been caused by the reduction of aupplies of lute from India. Tow had been mainly used for the manufacture of wool packs, and the shortage of jute had caused it to be used in larger quantities for packs. “Several of these shortages ar, linked up with the prKlem at shipping," said Mr Alston. "In spite of the fact that we have had repeated assurances from shipping companies that the position is not desperate, all that manufacturers can say is that they are not getting the materials or goods thst are available for shipment, and for which they have been waiting for months."