SUPPLIES OF WHITE LEAD

Southland Times, Issue 17756, 6 September 1917, Page 5

SUPPLIES OF WHITE LEAD

PROSPECT OF SHORTAGE. NEED FOR CONSERVING STOCKS. WELLINGTON, September 4. Th'e Hon. Arthur Myers stated this morning that the Ministry of Munitions in the United States had announced that there was a necessity for conserving the stocks of 'White lead for direct war purposes, and therefore there was little likelihood of any of the New Zealand orders for these supplies being executed within a measurable distance of time. This information has been conveyed to the New Zealand Government by the High Commissioner, who is in touch with the position and has thrown out the suggestion that as no white lead can be released under prevailing conditions for stock or general trading purposes the supplies already in the Dominion should be conserved and utilised only for the most urgent work. Mr Myers calls the attention of those concerned to the position in regard to this commodity, and requests that stringent economy be exercised by those using supplies of this nature in order that the work of painting may be directed so as to comply with the suggestion which has been made. Mr Myers further remarked that a considerable quantity of white lead was now on order from the United Kingdom, and that he was making representations to the High Commissioner in order to ascertain if it was possible to secure a small percentage of each application. To enable the Minister to do this it would be necessary for each applicant to furnish some evidence or assurance to him to illustrate that the material, when received, will be applied only to absolutely necessary works of maintenance. Circulars have been distributed requesting this information.