FIRST CEMENT SHIPMENT DUE IN FEW DAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1946, Page 6

FIRST CEMENT SHIPMENT DUE IN FEW DAYS

Two hundred tons of cement to alleviate the immediate shortage will reach Wanganui in a few days, according to advice received by Mr. J. B. Cotteril! from the Building Controller. Loading of a coastal vessel with this consignment will take place al Tarakbhe either to-day or to-morrow. A further shipment may be arranged for Wanganui next week, but the size of this shipment js not yet known. '“Our difficulty is not with the cement manufacturers—it is with the shipping interests," declared Mr. B. E. Cox. member of the Wanganui Cement Allocation Committee. “Actually, there are hundreds and hundreds of tons of cement stored up at Tarakohe awaiting shipment.” Mr. Cox said that the “shuffling, evasive answers” which were stated on Tuesday to have’come from the cement producers were in.fact the replies received from the shipping companies and the Shipping Controller in Wellington 2 n answer to repeated requests for shipping to lake the cement from Tarakohe and distribute it. •.There was more cement irt the South Island now than the producers •knew what to do with and they wished it tn be clearly understood that the cause of the shortage throughout New Zealand was not their responsibility.