Galvanised Iron

Hutt News, Volume XXI, Issue 50, 9 June 1948, Page 7

Galvanised Iron

ALLOCATION OF SUPPLIES MASTER PLUMBERS’ PROTEST At a recent meeting of the Hutt Valley Master Plumbers’ Association the question of existing allocations and general distribution of galvanised iron supplies to the plumbing industry was discussed. It was stated that because of the geiierdl order governing the uses of iron, etc.,' people were under the impression that supplies to the extent set opt in the regulations would be made available for repair work. Actually the availability of supplies determined the extent to which repairs could be executed. The supply position was at present chaotic, and with the ever-increasing demand for roof, spouting and dpwnpipe repairs the plumbers’ obligations to the community were becoming more difficult to fulfil. The plumber was looked to to keep the essential health services functioning and the importance of watertight roofs could not be too strongly stressed as a feature of health requirements. Though the Association appreciated that there was a definite shortage of galvanised iron throughout the Dominion it considered that the master plumbers had not been receiving even a fair allocation of the available supplies. Galvanised iron was being used for purposes where a substitute material could be found, ouch as black iron for cylinder casings, lubbish tins, electric refrigerator and concrete product goods. Electric power boards also used a certain amountj for vermin proofing. Rights of Property Owners As the largest single investment in this country the property owner should be entitled to some measure of consideration to enable him to keep his home in decent order and repair. Over the past two years the position had become increasingly difficult for the master plumber engaged on general maintenance and repair work. So much so that today we had the situation of an accumulation of work to be done on the one hand and master plumbers dispensing with their trained staff or closing their businesses on the other hand, brought about solely by their inability to obtain any iron supplies to carry cn, In conclusion, it was stated that supplies were filtering into channels other than plumbing establishments, and an earnest appeal would be made, particularly to hardware and plumbing merchants, to see that all supplies of corrugated iron, spouting and downpipe, etc., be directed to plumbing firms.