HEAVY DEMAND FOR LIME

Southland Times, Issue 24445, 27 May 1941, Page 4

HEAVY DEMAND FOR LIME

COMPANIES BEHIND WITH ORDERS

The demand for lime in Southland continues to be very heavy and practically all the lime companies operating in the province have accepted orders which will absorb their full output until the end of the year. Last year also, the demand was much greater than in previous years, and it was found necessary to operate additional shifts and extend the crushing and drying plant in order to fill farmers’ requirements. Full advantage has been taken this year of the extensions made last year and the output for the season will be heavy, but there are indications that some farmers who lodged their orders late will be unable to secure all the lime that they wish to buy.

Most of the companies are now unable to supply orders on the stipulated dates, and the period that the works are behind with supplies ranges up to one month. Difficulties have been experienced in securing sufficient labour for the quarries because of the drain .of man-power for active military service. Some delays have occurred in securing railway trucks for the carriage of lime at busy periods and other delays have contributed to the late supply of orders. In order to catch up with their orders some of the companies -will have to engage extra workers, if they are available.