DISTRIBUTION OF CEMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16769, 19 June 1920, Page 3

DISTRIBUTION OF CEMENT.

USED FOB STREETS IN AUCKLAND WHILE TARANAKI WANTS HOUSES. Strong exception to cement being made available at the present time for such purposes as street paving has been expressed by various distributors in New Plymouth and other parts of Taranaki where it is impossible to se cure adequate supplies for far more essential works, including houses, schools and dairy factories. _ It has been alleged oh various occasions that preferential treatment has been given to Auckland in the distribution of cement from the works at Whangarei. In support of this there appears in a recent issue of the Auckland Star a wail because there is a danger of the city council having to stop making concrete streets because of the cement shortage. People who cannot get houses and schools built in this district contend that it would have been more reasonable of the northern city had not embarked on an extensive street paving scheme requiring cement until the shortage had been relieved. The article in the Star referred to was as follows : Tbc( shortage of cement, oho of the commodities which the Prime Minister stated last week was likely to be rationed in the near future, is. seriously menacing the Auckland City Council’s street paving operations. The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunson) stated recently that the corporation was threatened with a rather serious position in the matter of cement supplies. The city engineer had advised him that unless something could be done ho would be immediately obliged to put oil one of the two gangs employed on permanent street paving work. ’"his would mean, explained the Mayor, that not only a large number of men employed on the actual paving work would be thrown out of employment, but also men engaged in obtaining supplies of sand, cement and metal. “Tho Board of Trade is controlling the output of cement,” said Air. Gunson. “and on Friday last I wired urgently to the Prime Minister asking him to secure supplies to the city, to prevent this reduction and also the consequent serious delay in the progress of the paving work. 1 received a reply from the Prime Minister assuring me that her was having the matter looked into urgently, and would reply further as soon as possible. I a.m hoping to got this reply in time for the meeting of the AVorks Committee on Thursday. In tho meantime I shall confer with tho chairman, Air. G. Baildon. on tho position. But it is quite clear that unless the. Government will release increased supplies of cement for tho corporation wo find! practically have to close down. This is a serious mallei-, and. one .(.ho results of which should be averted if it is at all possible.”