CEMENT SHORTAGE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16722, 24 April 1920, Page 8

CEMENT SHORTAGE.

RIMU SHIPMENT CANCELLED. APPEAL TO HON. MR. GUTHRIE. AVhiio tile Plou. Mr. Guthrie, Minister of Lauds, was at ingicv/oucl oa Irmay, Mr. t>. u. Smith, ai.P., spoke 01 tno very serious position m tins district in regard lo Cement. Representations made to the Board of Trade iiad brought an assurance a I day or two ago mat arrangements had been made for a shipment of SUO tons to New Plymoutu. Two thousand tons of cement were on order tor urgent works in New Plymouth and surrounding districts. That day advice had been received that the arrangements made for the Rhnu to bring tlio. cement had been cancelled. The position was that workers’ dwellings, hydro-electric works, schools (all these important works), and many works of other classes, were hung up. It was suggested that the Board of Trade might arrange for a larger steamer to bring a good quantity of cement and those concerned were • anxious to know if Mr. Guthrie would help them to get this. The Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr. Clarke) said the position was serious from the hydro-electric point of view. A tunnel was being driven and an in-

take, made almost in the river and, with winter coming on, it was essential to get the job completed. Every flood that came down cost the council money. They were ready to use cement again after the last flood, hut could not get it. Mr. Smith added that the Education Hoard had three important schools in course of erection. At Stratford there were 900 children and a building to accommodate 650, while the new huild- | ing was awaiting cement. The Hon. Mr. Guthrie said he understood that the cement supply was returning to normal. This was apparently a matter of shortage of shipping. He would be pleased to makt? representations in to right quarter as urged.