MORE CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23512, 24 November 1939, Page 8

MORE CONTROL

ROOFING IRON AND NAILS DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES FURTHER STATE ACTION SHORTAGES OF MATERIALS Because shortages have developed 111 several classes of metal materials, the Government is reported to have taken steps to control the distribution of supplies. The sterling position is also responsible for restricting supplies of raw materials to several important concerns manufacturing metal goods used in the building industry, and it is said that a critical stage is approaching unless there is speedy relief. Building has been held up in Auckland because of insufficient corrugated roofing iron. A recent shipment in Auckland is likely to give some relief, but there is to be a delay in distribution. Merchants have been informed that they are not in the meantime permitted to take delivery of their consignments. Information Required The shipment is to be held in the store of the controlling agents, and merchants must submit a list of their customers who require iron, the quantities in each instance and the purpose for which it is required. The Minister of Supply will deal with the allocations. Apparently merchants will not be permitted to hold stocks, at least 111 respect of the shipment mentioned. The nail industry is now distributing under a form of control. In view of the grave scarcity of supplies, the Government made extra sterling facilities available to manufacturers for the purchase of raw materials, according to merchants. The inevitable condition attached to the Government's action is that distribution of nails is to be on a preferential -basis. It is believed that the fruitgrowing and dairy industries aro 011 the preferential list, and that defence requirements must be met after other allocations, but merchants fear that their interests, and also that of the private building industry they supply, will suffer after the preference list is exhausted, unless there is a substantial lift in production beyond what seems likely for some 'time to come. Galvanised Iron Piping

The grave shortage of galvanised wrought iron piping essential to the building, farming, engineering and other industries shows no promise ol' much alleviation in the near future, it is also stated. Ad Wee has been received from important British manufacturers that they are not prepared to supply on the Reserve Bank's terms of remittances. They want cash. It is stated that orders from Australia cannot be filled for three or four months, in most instances.

A scarcity of pig iron is described as likely to affect several manufacturers before long. In other centres it is reported that stove and iron bath manufacturers are experiencing difficulties with supplies of essential materials.