HARDWARE FOR STATE HOUSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25660, 7 October 1944, Page 4

HARDWARE FOR STATE HOUSES

BUREAU OF IMPORTERS* CONCERN’ . Considerable secrecy seems, the Bureau of Importers declares, to have shrouded the request recently issued by the Ministry of Works for quotations for the manufacture and supply of certain types of locks and fitting* required for Government housing. Tenders were / requested from a limited number of local manufacturers for the following items:—s4,ooo’ sets of - door < furniture, 53,500 mortice latches,- 7500 rimlocks, and 33,000 dozen pairs of steel hinges. -•’? ri - ■ In the past all these items were supplied through the local hardware trade from Great Britain, but when some two years ago, due to the exigencies of war, the supply position became somewhat difficult, the Ministry decided to take over the importation of such goods, with 1 the result that “ bits and pieces” are now lying in various parts of the country, ana a general chaotic state exists. The Bureau of Importers, which fully recognises the extreme urgency of tackling the housing problem in a manner calculated to produce results, points out that British manufacturers to-day are not only in a position to supply our requirements of such' items as door furniture, latches, locks and hinges, but are actually cabling their New Zealand representative asking for such business. The bureau is of the , opinion that a conference comprising representatives of , all building and hardware interests should be called to discuss the supply of materials for Government housing before the country is comipittea to further colossal waste, . ,1