GALVANISED PIPING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27357, 5 April 1950, Page 6

GALVANISED PIPING

Supply Has Improved SOME SIZES SCARCE After a dire shortage a few months ago, the supply of galvanised piping in Dunedin has improved, and in the opinion of one merchant is now better than it has been for years. Some of the smaller sizes—mostly Jin and ljin—are' insufficient to meet requirements, but supplies of the larger sizes are ample, and in some cases in oversupply. One plumbing firm no longer takes its quota of the larger-sized piping because of its plentiful stocks. The recent shortage, which is still reported to be acute in Christchurch, was due to the Australian coal strikes, coupled with the lack of shipping. Imports of Canadian piping have also been restricted because of the dollar situation, the Daily Times was informed. A city merchant emphasised that although the supplies of pipihg were the same as those received before the war, the demand had increased. Building had been considerably affected by the shortage, but the situation had now improved, and was much better than it was six month ago, said the head of the plumbing department of a city building firm. There was still a shortage of flat galvanised iron and taps, however. Local manufacturers were unable to make enough taps for the building trade, but the market was being relieved by imports from Britain. The main problem facing builders was the shortage of labour, he said.