ROOFING MATERIALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24672, 30 July 1941, Page 2

ROOFING MATERIALS

EXCESSIVE PRICES ALLEGED AN INVESTIGATION SOUGHT (0.C.) WELLINGTON, July 29. A request that the Minister of Supply Mr D. G. Sullivan, should institute an inquiry into the disturbing effect that prices of roofing materials were having on the building industry was made by Mr J. Hodgens (Govt., Palmerston North) in a question which he asked in the House of Representatives to-day. , Had the Minister been advised that a certain tile manufacturing company advertised very extensively that its particular make of tiles was "available throughout the North Island at no greater cost than you would pay for corrugated iron"? Mr Hodgens asked.- Was the Minister aware that in a specific case this firm, in spite of its advertisement, quoted a price over £lO9 more than the same roof could be covered for at to-day's prices of corrugated iron? Was he aware also that the same firm, having, it was alleged, a monopoly under its licence for the manufacture of asbestos corrugated roofing, was charging excessive prices for the supply and fixing of this type of roof covering? Mr Hodgens suggested that an inquiry should be made in order to protect builders and their clients "from being exploited by this firm because of the difficulties in obtaining supplies of corrugated iron as a result of the war." GALVANISED IRON STOCKS MEASURES FOR CONSERVATION (P.A.) ' WELLINGTON, July 29. Strict conservation of stocks of galvanised iron is being exercised in the Dominion, and, where possible, other materials are to be used for roofing purposes. In a statement to-day the Minister of Supply, Mr D. G. Sullivan, said that galvanised iron would be used as far as possible for essential repairs to existing buildings. Should the repairs be of an extensive nature consideration would have to be given to reroofing the building in material of New •Zealand manufacture.

Galvanised iron, the Minister said, had been in short supply since the outbreak of the war, and this shortage had increased the demand for roofing materials of New Zealand manufacture. Various measures of control were being exercised to ensure that the stocks of galvanised iron which might become available were used in the most economical manner, and also to obviate any unnecessary, calls being made on the limited production of the asbestos cement industry. Preference would be given in the allocation of corrugated asbestos cement roofing to factory and warehouse buildings, and he recommended that roofing tiles should be used on all new residences and small commercial and public buildings where pitched roofs were employed. Ample supplies of flat asbestos cement sheets, however, were available for roofing outbuildings, farm sheds, etc.