MORE CEMENT TO BE IMPORTED

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27675, 3 June 1955, Page 12

MORE CEMENT TO BE IMPORTED

Storage Facilities Planned N.Z. PLANTS MAY BE EXPANDED (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 2. Cement imports are to be increased considerably, and storage facilities will be established in the four main centres and at Tauranga, Mew Plymouth, and Napier. This was announced today by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr D. J. Eyre), who said the Government had been viewing with extreme concern the shortages of cement that had occurred recently in parts of the country. The Minister made his announcement after a meeting today attended by the Minister of Housing (Mr W. Sullivan), representatives of Cement Importers (N.Z.), Ltd., and local producing companies, at which present and future supplies were discussed. “The demand in recent months has increased out of all expectations, and in spite of heavy importations has outstripped supply,” said Mr Eyre. “Some idea of the demand can be gauged from the fact that in March this year the total sales of cement were 61,000 tons. In March, 1954. sales were 39,000 tons.

"Extra shipments have been ordered from overseas, and in June 18,000 tons, and in July 26,000 tons will be im-| ported. "The Government recognises that the indirect losses to industry caused by shortages of cement can be very much greater than any losses through cement going hard in store,” he added. "Such losses through storage can be regarded as a justifiable expense in order to maintain full supplies. “The cement industry has spent many millions of pounds in recent years in doubling its productive capacity, but it is apparent that these extensions, which are now practically complete, will not even cope with present demand. The question of further extensions to the cement works to meet future demand was discussed at today’s meeting, and the companies are to submit their proposals to the Government.

“At present New Zealand is one of the biggest consumers of cement a head of population in the world,” said the Minister. "This is a reflection of our Vigorous and expanding economy.

“I well realise the difficulties that have occurred through the shortages, and I sincerely expect that the measures it is proposed to take will meet the position.”

BUILDERS’ VIEW OF SHORTAGE

FEDERATION “AT END OF ITS PATIENCE” OVERHAUL OF SUPPLY SYSTEM URGED (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 2. The New Zealand Master Builders’ Federation considers that the system governing tl ? supply of cement direly needs overh; .11. The president of the federation (. 'r C. D. Anderson) tonight criticised the cement authorities in New Zeal; nd for the current serious shortage of cement, and said that the federation had reached the end of its patience. The building industry had never been so starved for cement as it was at present, Mr Anderson said. The time had come for cement importers and distributors to produce results or relinquish their monopolistic control, he said.

The building industry, especially in the northern half of the South Island and the southern half of the North Island, had experienced some bad spots in cement supply over the last few years, but it had never been starved for cement as at present, Mr Anderson said. “There is a serious economic Toss to the community because of the lack of cement,” he said. “It is not our policy to be dogmatic or dictatorial, but we have reached a stage when tangible results alone can harness our criticism. “Cement importer-- rr.d distributors, because of lack o< . tc -age space, have fallen down bcc'i. . «nd though they are clas r o> experts in their field, we i u.at the time has come for them to cease hoodwinking the building industry. “Cement and the necessary import licences are freely available, shipping facilities are adequate—why the prolonged shortage?’’ he asked. Mr Anderson said that recent discussions with the Government and its departments had enabled the federation to look with confidence to an immediate and continued improvement. It is reported in Wellington that supplies of cement that will considerably minimise the shortage are already in the new silos on Aotea quay, but because of "teething’’ troubles in the bagging machinery the cement cannot be bagged as planned for delivery to consumers. These difficulties and /delays have caused waits of four to five hours for trucks sent to the silos.