SHORTAGE OF CEMENT

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25736, 23 February 1949, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF CEMENT

GOLDEN BAY COMPANY REPLIES TO MR GLUE DISTRIBUTION REGULATED BY CONTROLLER A reply to a statement by Mr W. P. Glue (chairman of the works committee of the Christchurch Drainage Board) that the Golden Bay Cement Company “had let the Canterbury market down, supplying only one bag in eight,” has been sent to Mr Glue by the company. “We regret to have to take exception to the statement, which is both untrue and very unfair to this company,” says the letter to Mr Glue, a copy of which was sent by the company to “The Press.” “We can only conclude that you have been seriously misinformed. “The facts are that the sale and distribution of cement under Government regulation is controlled my the Building Controller who directs where the available supplies shall be sent. While this company used to supply about half the Canterbury market before the war, since 1942 it has, because of shortage of coal, lack of sufficient shipping, and because of the tremendous demands for hydro works in the North* Island, been directed to deliver the major part of its production to other districts- These factors are entirely beyond our control. Had we been allowed, we should certainly have continued to cater for our normal markets, including Canterbury where we have many valued cus- ‘ tomers. , “We must say in fairness to the Building Controller that every effort has been made to allocate the available production as fairly as possible between one district and another, having regard to priority works and the difficulties of transport. “Further, both we and the other cement companies have done our utmost to supply the demands in all districts. in spite of serious shortages of coal and transport bottlenecks. Even though to-day production is a record for the industry, because of shortage of coal it falls short of plant capacity by more than 50.000 tons.” The present crisis in Canterbury was the result of the urgent requirements of hydro works in South Canterbury. says the letter. Every effort is being made to alleviate the position, including the procuring of supplies from oversea, but until new cement plant now on order for all three companies can be delivered and erected, cement must remain in short supply in New Zealand and its uses will have to be directed by Government authority. Mr Glue’s Comment

Mr Glue said last evening that the Golden Bay Cement Company had a joint market with the Milburn Lime and Cement Company (Dunedin) for the Canterbury district from Christchurch to Ashburton. “Figures for last year show that Golden Bay supplied 3000 tons, and Milburn 22,000 tons (excluding its quota for the Public Works Department). What other conclusion can you come to than that the market has been let down? If those figures are not correct would the company inform me what the correct ones are?

“If there are any circumstances beyond the company’s control that can alleviate the position we will be pleased to receive more cement—that is what we want,” said Mr Glue.