CEMENT SHORTAGE AGAIN TROUBLES GISBORNE BUILDERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22915, 6 April 1949, Page 8

CEMENT SHORTAGE AGAIN TROUBLES GISBORNE BUILDERS

With an average minimum demand of 250 tons of cement per month and deliveries averaging in the vicinity of 100 tons per month —one-third of this allocation being reserved usually for Government undertakings—Gisborne continues to be badly placed for building requirements.

The situation has again become extremely difficult for master builders of the district, who at their monthly meeting on Monday expressed deep concern not only regarding the present shortage, but also the prospects of its continuance. Information for fHe Public It was felt necessary that the public should be informed of the position, in order to counter criticism now being levelled against operators who are unable to secure sufficient cement to meet public demands. Irregular deliveries to Gisborne ara among the factors which create difficulties in the trade. With about one-third of the available cement being held tor Government purposes, the amount left for local bodies, farmers and the building industry shrinks to between GO and 70 tons per month a hopelessly inadequate amount in the view of the builders. '

The seriousness of the shortage throughout New Zealand, and the poor prospects for an early improvement, were indicated to the recent national conference of builders by Mr. D. O. Whyte, general manager of the Golden Bay Cement Company, who forecast a serious difficulty of supply throughout New Zealand for two or three years. Replacements of Equipment

This prospect was due to a variety of causes, Mr. Whyte stated, chief of which nad been the inability of cement manufacturers to renew their plant owing to lack of machinery for immediate delivery and installation. Renewal processes were expected to take at least two years, and this fact, combined with the abnormal demands of the Government on account of urgent hydro-electric schemes, which take a high priority in supply, must render the future position of supply for other purposes uncertain. Gisborne builders expressed the opinion that this district was not in as good a position as others in respect to cement supplies, and a proposal to invite Mr. D. VV. Coleman, M.P., to take every possible step with the authorities to secure an early improvement was endorsed unanimously.