BUILDING HARDWARE NEEDS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 91, 13 January 1944, Page 4

BUILDING HARDWARE NEEDS

Post-War Planning MANUFACTURE IN NEW ZEALAND Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, January 12. In conjunction with a huge building programme which, it is understood, will be commenced shortly by the Government, manufacturers throughout New Zta.land are being approached with the object of finding out the potential production of considerable quantities of builders’ and plumbing hardware. Though no official figures can yet be released, the proposed annual production, of some of the lines runs into six figures. The materials required, are for several types of buildings. including hospitals, as well as for the projected resumption of the State housing scheme. • . To investigate the potential production of Auckland manufacturers. Mr. 1 • M. Muskett. representing the Building Controller, has arrived here. For the convenience of manufacturers, an exhibit is now being shown in the rooms of the Overseas League, demonstrating the types of hardware which are required. The matter will be discussed at a conference of the metals trade group of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association to be held tomorrow. Representatives of manufacturers of metals and plasties from all parts of the province will be present. Wide Range of Articles.

The exhibit is made up of a wide array of various types of hardware. It includes taps, door fittings, locks, bolts, keys, hinges and coat hangers, in fact, til* the myriad of fittings which go into a finished building, even down to numbers for letter boxes. Some plastic materials also are included. The samples have been chosen from imported lines. It is understood. however, that local manufacturers will not be tied down to producing exact replicas of these samples, and any improvements will be welcomed. The exhibit will be shown in Wellington shortly and then at Christchurch and Dunedin. Information collected from members of the metals trade groups in the four centres will be forwarded to the New Zealand Metal Trade Federation and then to the Building Controller. Some of the articles required already are being manufactured in New Zealand, but others represent a new field of production. Auckland manufacturers are appreciative of the Government’s action in sending a representative to explain the proposed plan and every assistance has been promised. It is also realized that many problems are presented, particularly the supply of raw materials at economic prices, the assurance that sufficient manpower will be available to carry out any contracts, and the method of distribution of the finished articles. These points, however, will be discussed at forthcoming conferences. Pre-war imports of hardware into New Zealand were fairly substantial. In 1939, imports of hardware, hollowware, and ironmongery totalled £658,698. Of this total £492.794 came from the United Kingdom, £50,365 from the United States, £46,933 from Australia, £30,480 from Canada, £13,719 fdm Germany and £10,354 from Japan.

IMPORTERS’ VIEW “With primary production falling off to an alarming extent, due to the shortage of manpower, it seems almost fantastic that the Government should be contemplating the further bolstering of uneconomic secondary industries, which can only result in considerably’ added costs to the building industry, as well as accentuating the manpower problem,” is the comment of the Bureau of Importers on the investigation now being carried out by a representative of the Building Controller to ascertain the potential production in New Zealand of builders’ and plumbing hardware. “The schedule of wartime building supplies issued by the British Ministry of Works ami Planning in January, 1940, indicates that permanent building cannot in the present instance be contemplated and for semi-permanent and temporary building permitted by the British Government, a list of hardware has been compiled which prohibits the use of nonferrous metals except where absolutely necessary. It even restricts the use of iron or steel where substitutes. such as wood, plastics, glassware and others can be used,” states the bureau. “In New Zealand it is proposed to use brass casement stays and window fittings. In Britain such fittings must be made from “Lock furniture is to be made in New Zealand from brass, bronze, or plastic. In Britain such furniture is permitted to be .made only from china, glass, waste hardwood, or plastic. Metal cupboard catches in Britain are prohibited and temporary turn buttons of wood or iron are used. In New Zealand a zme alloy, probably imported for essential war purposes, is being used for the manufacture of these catches.”