SHORTAGE OF CEMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 4 December 1920, Page 3

SHORTAGE OF CEMENT

RESULT OF■ LACK OF COAL. The cement output for tho Dominion during the year ended October jl inst, by Jth'e three companies engaged m this industry, was apjteoximately If\tuo tons, whereas binder noripal conditions the total output should hftvo been over I*o,ooo tons. Thi' manager of Wilson (N.Z..) i’orfland ’Cement Company, Ltd.,. Mr. -S. Keid, stated this week that for (he last 12 months there was a .shortage ol 65,000 tons, and there was no prospect In the near future of this being made up. The cause of this (shortage, said Air. Reid, was the inability of cement manufacturing companies to- obtain coal in sufficient quantities to enable their works to be operated at full pressure. In the circumstances it was impossible to -supply orders for cement for works already in course of construction. Orders for new works were coming to hand almost every day. and these, with the prospect of orders tor cement for hydro electric ischemee, would accentuate tin* position. “If the companies can get* sufficient coal for the need- year,’' said Mr Reid, “the. accumulated shortage will disappear before 1922.” Continuing, he said that Wilsons (N.Z.) Portland Cement Company had completed arrangements for a pimply of Newcastle eoa-I to he delivered dining this month, with a view to ensuring a full output of cement from the Portland Works during December. The company was also making other inquiries for coal locally and overseas, its object being to get its- different woiks in full swing by the New Year