SUPPLIES OF CARBIDE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 62, 6 December 1917, Page 4

SUPPLIES OF CARBIDE

NEED FOR GREATEST ECONOMY. Tho Eon. Arthur Myers, Minister ol Munitions and Supplies, when approach ed by a reporter in rogard to the position of supplies of carbide for the Dominion's use, stated that during the last few months ho had taken activc measures to endeavour to secure the reasonable needs of tho Dominion, bu had recently definitely ascertained thai there is little, if any, prospect of supplies of carbide being made available from the United Kingdom or from Canada for ordinary illumination purposes. This being the position tut Minister fuggested that the greatest economy be exercised by those using this commodity. _ As regards securing supplies loi purposes which might be regal ded as essential, Mr. Myers stated ho wai taking action to endeavour to securc the execution of orders for supplies required for military and railway purl>oses, it being understood that tnc Marine immediate iequirements ivere satisfactorily covered The Minister further remarked that lie had gathered from information ieceived that the use of carbide in the United Kingdom had heen restricted almost entirely, and its use ln illnmijiation prohibited except in very specia cases It vould, therefore, appear tnat if this econoriiy is being exercised in tho Old Country similar economies must necessarily bo observed in Ze& As regards tho outlook for the future. Air Myers remarked that he was giver to understand that a factory was beinf 'erected in Australia which'may be ah to produce sufficient to enable smah supplies to be made available for New Zealand. Having this in mmd t Minister is m communication with tne Director of Munitions m the wealth, requesting information undei this head. •