CEMENT SHORTAGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16330, 20 January 1921, Page 4

CEMENT SHORTAGE.

SCHOOL BUILDING DELAYED. [Per Press Association !! WELLINGTON, January 19. The Alinister of Education referred io-day to difficulties the Department experienced in building schools .. through lack of cement and other necessary materials. Grants totalling £30,000 were made six months ago for two schools in AYellington Province. He states that, one Jias not l>een started yet and the other has been hung up and the men discharged because the contractor could not get cement, this despite repeated appeals by the Education Hoard to the Board of Trade. Arrangements nowhare been made for these t wo buildings to proceed without further delay. •‘Wo can't build schools without cement,” he said, “ and wo can’t get cement if the men at Taupiri and other mines go slow. One result of go-slow therefore is the embarrassment of the Education Department in the construction of schools.” The Board of Trade, had been very fair in allow ing the Health and Education Departments to build hospitals and schools without special applications for permits. Jlospitals and schools had been placed next in urgency to workers’ homes, but this gave no priority of call on cement and .other material. It might soon he a question whether his two .Departments should not be. given such priority as a right.