CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume 32, Issue 32, 6 August 1931, Page 12

CORRESPONDENCE

CONCRETE TAR ROADS

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your correspondent, "Xew Zealauder?' gives some intcicsting information on the above subject, for which 1 am giateful. However, I do not accept >his conection of my statement regarding reduction of cement to a competitive level. In his figures, he states that 500 tons 'of cement, is required for one mile of road 18ft in width by (iin in thickness. This mixture, at the rate of 4% bags to one cubic yard, lS'a particularly good mixture, and well above the usual specifications,. Concrete roads are Ijeing; laid for, -12s per square yard in New Zealand, "and'if my memory is _ con ect, the original Hutt load was completed'in hot mix, bitumen for slightly under 10s per square" yard—a difference of 2s m favour of an inferior imported commodity. Labour and. gravel have been reduced 10 per cent, .during the pait few months, and in order to'help the industry, surely the cement manufacturer can-do more tharf the men- l%d leduction'per bag"'they have made during these paSt few,days. Perhaps-it will interest ''"New Zealandev" to know that imported cement is being: used "extensively in New Zealand. I.have been employed oil.many works of late where it has been utilised in preference to our own pioduet for no other leason than that lfc^ jps cheaper than local cement I trust ltmr manufacturers will see that a reduction is due, and not ask the Government; to subsidise the industry in the form of high tariffs and unemployment relief. —I am, etc., IDLE WORKER.