Comment On Supply Of Farm Piping

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 6, 11 October 1950, Page 6

Comment On Supply Of Farm Piping

Commenting on the peculiarities of the existing water pipe supply, the Auckland Province of Federated Farmers states that:—

In refusing to grant a licence for ■ the importation of galvanised piping from Melbourne, the Minister of Industries and Commerce explained to Federated Farmers that reasonable provision had alreadybeen made for importations of piping through normal importing houses and that adequate supplies were available at cheaper prices. Federated farmers, therefore, were puzzled as to why a shortage of piping should still exist in New Zealand. In asking the Minister the reason for this, Mr D. L. M. Martin, Federated Farmers' research officer, stated that "In view of the fact that there appears to be plenty of piping available from several sterling sources, all the piping that is necessary to satisfy the farmers' demands should be in New Zealand within a few months and it is somewhat difficult to understand why the demand does not appear to be diminishing." The Minister's latest statement in regard to this has now been received by the Auckland Province cf Federated Farmers.

"The licences already issued during the current licensing period provide for deliveries of about 24,000 tons of galvanised piping in 1950," states the Minister. "Unfortunately, shipping difficulties are at present impeding the arrival and distr:dution of several large consignments; there are, for example, four vessels in Auckland at present (September 18) awaiting discharge, one of which —the "Barnhill", contains a very large cargo of piping that has remained undischarged at Auckland since July 6.

The Minister continues that a delay in the departure from France of some substantial shipments of piping has also contributed to the shortage. "It is estimated, however, that the supply position should be reasonably satisfactory by the end of the year," he adds. In reply to a query regarding the distribution of piping within New Zealand, the Minister states that this is entirely in the hands of the importers who allocate supplies for distribution to members of the New Zealand Tube Guild.