PIPING SHORTAGE LIKELY TO REMAIN FOR SOME TIME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 94, 6 February 1950, Page 5

PIPING SHORTAGE LIKELY TO REMAIN FOR SOME TIME

The supply of galvanised iron pipng, despite some assurances to the contrary, does not show any

sign of immediate improvement, according to advice received by a • Whakatane hardware store from an Auckland distributing firm. Since the publication of a statement from Federated;Farmers that piping was now becoming available hardware merchants and other supply authorities have been inundated with inquiries and orders, which most firms say they have no earthly chance of fulfilling. No Increase Yet

Up to the present local dealers

have not had an increased supply although some have been told that they will be able to get all they want by July. They were told a similar story last year—but that they would be able to fill all their orders by Christmas. Most are now taking these assurances with a jar of salt.

This has been borne. out by the letter from the Auckland distributing firm. It. states that the supply position of galvanised piping is as .bad as it has ever been and has

been aggravated by the present dry spell and the fresh demands of the farming community. “During the past two months,” the letter continues, “shipments received have been larger than those previously received but the quantities are just a drop in the bucket compared with orders outstanding on merchants’ books, some of which bre over four years old. < i “Even with reports that supplies are due to become easier in steel products within the next six months, we will be surprised if we are able to bring our position straight before next season,” the firm concludes. Same Everywhere

Inquiries in many parts of the Bay of Plenty reveal that the position is the same everywhere. One manager of a Whakatane hardware store said that from the information he had available there was not likely to be any noticeable improvement for some time yet. During a recent visit to Auckland he had been told by some members of the Auckland Tube Association that there was not likely to be any change. Piping could not be purchased in Australia or' England, the countries where it is manufactured.