ROAD CARRIAGE OF CEMENT

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26221, 19 September 1950, Page 6

ROAD CARRIAGE OF CEMENT

BAN IMPOSED BY UNION

DECISION AT PORTLAND WORKS (New Zealand. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Sept. 18. Because of the action of the Cement Workers’ Union, Wilsons (N.Z.) Portland Cement Company is unable to use road transport for cement normally carried by sea. The company had arranged for the road transport of cement from the works at Portland, near Whangarei, to supply the Auckland market during the waterfront strike, but before any trucks could be loaded the union secretary (Mr J. O’Connor) informed the works manager (Mr G. W. Foote) that the executive commit ee of the union refused to allow any cement normal y carried by sea to be diverted to other means of transport. As about 75 per cent, of the cement production leaves the works by sea, this means that unless the waterside stoppage is settled soon the works will have to close. The storage bins are practically full now. Mr Foote said that already one of four k ins was out of production, and if the company could not clear the cement more kilns would have to step. The Cement Workers’ Union is affiliated with the Waterside Workers’ Union.

Although three southern ships, the Waiaiia, Kcmata, and Kauri, have potatoes in the’r holds, Auckland is facing a shortage. Less than a week's supply of potatoes remains, and new potatoes reaching the markets are filling only a fraction of the requirements.