HUGE STOCKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21997, 15 April 1946, Page 2

HUGE STOCKS

WAR MATERIALS

PURCHASE FROM U.S.A

BIG DISPOSAL PROBLEM (P.A.) AUCKLAND, April 15. Hundreds of thousands of tons of American equipment which during the war was poured into Auckland in a steady stream for the U.S. forces operating from the Dominion still remain stored in and around the city, unknown to a majority of the public. A large task is faced by the War Assets Realisation Board in the disposal of this great accumulation of unwanted war material, most of it unused and in perfect condition.

The greater part of the equipment was taken over from the U.S. Navy, in astonishing variety ranging from huge marine Diesel engines to lipsticks and dentists’ drills. It is expected to take at least a year to dispose of. Many lines now unprocurable or in short supply in New Zealand will find a ready market, but the disposal of other war equipment with little peace-time value may not be easy. There is an amazing range of general hardware and a good deal of crockery. It is emphasised that Government departments will have the pick of the equipment. The aim is to dispose of the material in as large contracts ns possible. After Government departments have made their selections, the stocks will be sold by tender or possibly through the various trades interested.