THE CEMENT SHORTAGE.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16728, 10 January 1920, Page 8

THE CEMENT SHORTAGE.

WANT OP COAL RESPONSIBLE. (SFF.CTAI. TO "Tnr. PRESS. AUCKLAND. January o A statement made by tho Mayor of Wellington in a letter to the Prirao .Minister regarding the shortage 0 f cement, in which Mr Luke suggested importations from Kugland, was to-day brought under tho notice of the management of Wiisona (N.Z.) Portland C.-nieiu, Ltd. The reply received was that, in the company's opinion, the >ti£. gestion made by Mr Luke was iiiom unfair, as the lad was that the shortago of cement in the Dominion was duo solely to tho shortage of coal. •"Instead of the Government l>otng urged to import cement." says die company's directors, "we consider that it -liould be urged to deal with the coal situation, which already has become intolerable, and is crippling many important industries which lind employment for large nunilvrs of men, aiul greatly add to tho wealth of the I>iniinion." The company reiterates that tho position is that it, in common with other cement manufacturers in New Zealand, experienced a shortage of coal during practically the whole of }.ist year, and from September the shortage became acute, owing to the go-slow policy of the coal-miners. Since the New Year, it was stated, the company had received only suHicient coal to run one rotary kiln for one day, and as it had gathered a little coal during the holidays, one rotary kiln had been started at Portland, but unless further coal was received to-morrow (Saturday), this kiln would have? tr> Iki again dosed. It has been indicated that some coal may Ik> available during next, week, but no guarantee can bo given as to the quantity or regularity of supply, and the present position at Portland* is. if anything, worse than it was prior to tho holidays. The AVnrkworth plant has already been dosed, po far as cement making is concerned, for over three months, although n number of men hnvo l«?on retained with a view to promptly starting work should roal he available. As the prospects of eoal being obtainable for tho Portland mill, let. alone Wark worth, are not bright, tho question of closing tho Warkwurth plant entirely will have to 1h» seriously considered during the present, month. "Wilson's Company, it was r.dded, tf given the necessary supplies of conl, could easily supply SOOfl tons of cement p.-',* month, and the cement could he distributed lung beforo supplies could arrivo from oversea. On the other hind, unless sufficient- conl qnieklv became awiilabln. th-'> company might be ccninelled to oloso down its only plant working, which would hnvo the efTeet of throwing a large number of men out of employment-