USE OF CEMENT

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

USE OF CEMENT

MEASURE FOR CONTROL DIFFICULTIES OF SUPPLY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug 8. A Building Construction • Control Notice published in to-night’s Gazette stipulates that, except with the precedent consent of the Building Controller, no one shall use cement or readymixed concrete for any of the following purposes:—Concrete paving, manufacture of concrete paving slabs, concrete kerbing and channelling, the construction of paths, terraces, fences (not including fenceposts), garden walls, retaining walls, swimming baths, swimming pools, fishponds and other ponds, precast concrete ornaments or garden furniture. Except with the precedent consent of the Building Controller, it is illegal to sell, supply, dispose of, part with, or deliver cement or ready-mixed concrete unless the vendor is satisfied that it is not intended to be used for any of these purposes. The building controller, Mr G. W. Albertson, said to-night that the continued difficult cement'suppiy position was being severely felt in primary production and the building industries. In older to make the best use of available supplies and to prosecute essential works and housing to the utmost, it had been necessary to limit the use of cement to approved works only. The shortage of shipping is the main difficulty in the cement industry, Mr Albertson said. “Until this is overcome, no improvement in cement supplies can be effected. Efforts iiave been made to augment supplies by importing cement, particularly from Australia, but the bottle-neck in the trans-Tasman shipping prevents any relief in this connection. “ The control notice does not provide for the control of cement by a permit system, but merely requires that cement shall not be used for the purposes specified. Consequently builders and persons requiring cement for approved works can obtain their supplies through their normal trade channels without making special application for release."