PAINT CONTROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26226, 9 August 1946, Page 6

PAINT CONTROL

INGREDIENTS SCARCE LINSEED AND WHITE LEAD (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 8. A control notice gazetted to-day prohibits the use of lead and linseed oil paint for the painting-of exteriors of buildings constructed of stone, cement, brick, plaster and asbestos cement sheets The control also applies to retaining walls, fences, etc., constructed of similar materials. Discussing the notice, the Building Controller, Mr P. W. Albertson, said to-night that this action had become necessary owing to the serious supply position which had developed in regard to both white lead and linseed oil. Normally, supplies of linseed and oil came from India, but owing to the famine conditions which existed there to-day, a higher priority had been accorded linseed for food purposes,, and an embargo had been placed on its export from that country. Less than half the normal annual requirements of linseed oil would be available from New Zealand manufacturers this year, he said, and already it had been necessary to ration the available supplies. For next year’s oil, it was proposed to grow seed in the Dominion. White lead stocks were also critical. Future supplies from overseas were uncertain. In these circumstances, he added, it was essential to conserve the remaining supplies of white lead and linseed oil for the painting of new houses and the repainting and maintenance of existing houses and wooden buildings