SHORTAGE OF STEEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19470, 28 October 1926, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF STEEL.

EFFECT OF THE COAL STRIKE. PRICES SHOW AN INCREASE. BUILDING WORKS DELAYED. The serious effect of the strike of British coalminers upon the manufacturing industries in the United Kingdom is being' felt in New Zealand, where a shortage of English steel is delaying building. Some types of English steel can bo obtained, but only at very high prices, and it is manufactured with German coal. There are certain lines made only in England which are almost off the market. Ihe strike has not only affected English steel but has resulted in a rise in prices extending over the world markets. Canada is exporting steel to New Zealand, but since the strike there has been a rise of from 15s to 17s 6d a ton. There is a corresponding rise in American steel, and high prices will rule until the coal strike is settled and industry is restored. One instance of the effect in Auckland is to be found in delay in the erection by the Fletcher Construction Company of the new block of buildings for the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, of Auckland, at the corner of Hobson and Victoria Streets. As yet the structure has advanced little beyond the basement, on account of the cessation of the supply of builders' steel, which was being imported from Great Britain. It has been found that rod steel of a quality that complies with the architects' standard can be procured in Dunedin, and stocks of this are being prepared for use. These supplies will enable the lower floor of the building, consisting of shops, to be completed. The main requirement, however, is girder steel, in considerable lengths, which is required for the upper storeys, and there seems no hope of procuring the necessary supplies of this material from Britain until the strike is ended. Even then time must be allowed for the ironworks of the Midlands to get into full swing, so that the completion of the contract is indefinitely postponed. Had they been prepared to consider only their own interests, as distinguished from those of the Empire, the Oddfellows could have imported all that they require from America. The question was considered by the local authorities, but the conclusion arrived at was that as their institution is purely British, it would be unpatriotic to procure materials from a foreign country.