METAL SCARCITY

Grey River Argus, 1 August 1940, Page 12

METAL SCARCITY

IN NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND, July 30. The scarcity of non-ferrous metals in Auckland has become acute, ana some manufacturers are said to be experiencing difficulties in fulfilling cyders. Export embargoes on various metals in England and Australia have intensified a position brought abou. by the import control scheme and, although supplies of certain classes are available in both Canada ana America, the New Zealand manufacturer and importer are faced with the difficulty of obtaining the necessary dollar exchange. Delays in shipping from Shanghai are said to be chiefly responsible mr the scarcity of aluminium. A considerable quantity used in New Zealand comes from there. The Auckland Manufacturers’ , Association approached the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, asking it to urge the Government to appeal to the public to offer waste products and to organise their collection and transport to industrial centres. Sc far as Auckland is concerned, no practical results have yet been secured In the search for copper, brass, gunmetal, zinc and aluminium, old machinery has been dismantled and parts used. Dealers in non-ferrous scrap point out that cost of transport and petrol difficulties make it necessary to confine operations to a limited area. Furthermore, they must sell within the rates fixed by the Price Tribunal, which often makes distant collection uneconomic. An instance given relating to prices was that of an Auckland manufacturer who had reached a position when his stocks of gunmetal were sufficient for two days. At that stage he obtained an overseas quotation for a supply that would cost him more than Is a lb., whereas the nominal, but official price in New Zealand, was 61d a lb.