SCARCITY OF CARBIDE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9836, 6 December 1917, Page 3

SCARCITY OF CARBIDE

NEED FOR ECONOMY URGED. BY MINISTER” FOR MUNITIONS AND SUPPLIES. Tho Hon. Arthur Myers (Minister for Munitions and Supplies), interviewed by a “Times” representative yesterday with regard to tho position of; supplies of carbide for the Dominion s use, said that during tho last tew months ho had taken active measures to endeavour to secure the reasonable needs of the Dominion, but had recently definitely ascertained that there xs little, if any, prospect of supplies of carbide being made available, from the. United Kingdom or from Canada for ordinary illuminating purposes. Tuis being the position, the Minister suggested that the greatest economy should be exercised by those using this commodity. . . ' As regards obtaining supplies tor purposes which might bo regarded as essential, Mr Myers stated that ho waa taking action to endeavour to secure tho execution of orders for supplies required for military and railway purposes. If was '-Imderstood • that- tho Marino Department’s immediate requirements were .satisfactorily covered. The Minister added that ho had gathered , from information received that tho use of carbide in the United Kingdom had ■■ been - almost, entirely, and that its use m illumma-' tion had been prohibited .except in very special cases. It would, therefore,, appear that if this economy is being exercised in the Old Country, similar economies must necessarily be observed in Now Zealand. , With regard to the outlook for the future. Mr Myers remarked’that die was given to understand Flint a factory was being erected in Australia, which might bo’ able to produce sufficient carbide to enable” Small 'supphes-to bn made available' for New Zealand. Having this in mind he was in communication with ihe Director of Munn tions in the Commonwealth, requestmj information under this head. •-