CEMENT SHORTAGE SERIOUS

Chronicle (Levin), 16 May 1946, Page 4

CEMENT SHORTAGE SERIOUS

BUlLDING AT STANDSTILL OUTLOOK NOT BRIGHT When the situation in regard to the supply of cement to the building trade was referred to a Levin ouilder yesterday, he described the position as "desperate." He said chat when supplles did come they were in such small quantities that it was impossible to undertake any work requiring any. amount of cement, such as laying the f oundations of a new house, until a suffieient store of the material had accumulated. When buildings eonstructed of antirely concrete would be built was impossible to say, he continued. The construction of such a building for the Horowhenua County Council would be delayed for an indefinite period on that account in spite of the urgent need for it. Cement works were not producing to their full capacity as a result of the coal shortage, he explained, and the firm which dealt with the distribution of it throughout New Zeland had not sufiicient for its own needs, apart from the demands of the building industry, Although a considerable amount of cement was being used in such projects as the Turakina tunnel and Karapiro hydro-electric works, the main reason for the shortage was low production at the cement works. Until this was increased there was no sign of an improvement in the situation, The builder concerned said that the shortage affected-not only those types of constructjon already mentioned, but also the production of wash-tubs, coppers and otner necessary items. A supply of fjbroj lite roofing material promised to ! some local ex-servicemen farmers had been held up indefinitely as cement was required for its manufacture.