HARDWARE ORDERS DELAYED

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 August 1936, Page 11

HARDWARE ORDERS DELAYED

REARMAMENT BLAMED. One effect of Britain’s rearmament programme is being felt by Auckland importers of hardware and metal goods in increased prices and delayed deliveries. Many of the uew prices are no doubt, due to the general move nient in that direction that has been noted for some time, but others are undoubtedly the result of the demand for plant and materials for armament making. This demand shows itself most, in the inability of a number of British manufacturers to fill orders as promptly as usual. One Auckland house, lately sent forward an order for a particular kind of lathe and was informed that it could bo supplied at the earliest in 54 weeks. This is an extreme, case, but there are others not very unlike it.

Pressure seems to be felt most in regard to heavy goods such as machine tools and other lines required in industry, but it is having an increasing effect ou what are known in the trade as “shelf goods,” including a wide range of consumers’ lines.

“Wo are getting letters by every mail saying orders cannot be filled for so long or that delivery is uncertain,” said one informant, “and the situation seems to be getting more acute. A great many manufacturers have very adaptable plants and can switch over to Government orders with very littlo difficulty. If things get worse we can of course go elsewhere. Canada is the alternative.”