CEMENT WORKS AT WESTPORT

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26122, 26 May 1950, Page 6

CEMENT WORKS AT WESTPORT

COMMENT BY MR C. F. SKINNER LONDON FINANCE GROUP INTERESTED From Our Own Reporter WESTPORT. May 25. “The decision as to the establishment of the industry will be made in London by Messrs F. L. Smith and Co., and the financial group associated with them.” said Mr C. F. Skinner, membor of Parliament for Buller, to-day. commenting on the announcement by the Prime Minister ‘Mr Holland) on the establishment of a cement works near Westport. Mr Holland gave an assurance that adequate electric power would be available for the works.

which will be undertaken by Modern Cement Works, Ltd. Mr Skinner said that Mr B. Anderson, the representative of Messrs Pmith and Co., spent throe months of this year in Westport making investigations as to the soundness of the proposed undertaking. He was now back in’ London to report to his principals. Mr Anderson had been fully informed by tlie New Zealand company concerning alterations in previouslyprepared estimates made necessary by the recent increases ir. coal costs, freight charges and other items brought about by the removal of subsidies. “The decision of the London financial group interested in the establishment of the industry at Westport is row awaited." he said. “The question of the availability of power for the undertaking was a factor that loomed large in the discussions with the Government before Mr Anderson’s departure for London and the guarantee now given by the Government removes what at an earlier stage was feared would be a major obstacle to the company’s operation. “To provide power for the works it is understood that a special power unit will be installed whwh will be used as a standby plant later when hydroelectric projects in the South Island are completed,” concluded Mr Skinner.