Cement Supply Position

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 72, 23 July 1948, Page 5

Cement Supply Position

MINISTER’S REPLY TO MR SULLIVAN (Special to Beacon) Wellington, July 22. “Everything possible under present circumstances is being done to ensure continuity in the supply of cement,” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Nordmeyer) in answer to a question in the House by Mr Sullivan, Bay of Plenty. Mr Sullivan asked: (1) Whether Mr Nordmeyer immediately investigate the cement supply position, with a view to making a sufficient, quantity available for" trade purposes? (2) If coal supplies were insufficient, what steps were proposed to correct this? (3) If shipping were a bottle-neck, what action was proposed to overcome delays? (4) If the New Zealand manufacturers could supply the demand, would he state what action was proposed, or was being taken, to obtain satisfactory supplies from overseas? “Cement supply is today* most unsatisfactory, construction work is delayed and held up everywhere, and urgent action is necessary to avoid further dislocation of trade,” Mr Sullivan said.

Mr Nordmeyer replied: “Everything possible under present circumstances is being done to ensure continuity in the supply of cement. Coal deliveries from the West Coast to the North Island cement works have been insufficient to permit the building-up of stocks adequate to maintain maximum production. “Shipping for coal transport can usually be made available, but the vagaries of weather and bar conditions at the West Coast frequently render impossible the co-ordination of loading, departure, and availability of vessels. Every effort is being made to increase the output of the Kamo colliery with a view to supplying the Portland works with half its total requirements. Until such •time as special ships are acquired, either for bulk transportation or bag freighting of cement and until adequate berthage facilities are provided at Tarakohe for any vessels which might be available, it is doubtful whether any permanent improvement in cement supplies from that source can be achieevd. “While limited supplies of cement, are available from overseas, the price is so much in excess of the New Zealand product that importers generally are reluctant to place orders. It is likely that either through the operation of new companies or through the expansion of existing plant the output of New Zealand cement factories will be increased appreciably.”