HIGH PRICE OF CEMENT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 265, 29 July 1918, Page 4

HIGH PRICE OF CEMENT

PBOTEST Bl' LOCAL BODIES. Tho substantial increase which has lately taken place in tho price of cement was discussed at Thursday evening's meeting of tho Auckland City Council, apropos of a letter from the Hastings Borougli Council, asking for co-operation in urging upon the Government tho necessity for closely looking into the manufacture and carriage of cement, as the article could bo made available to consumers at much lower cost than, at present prevails. The City Council, it was staled, has a contract for the supply of cement at ,IM ss. :\ ton up to the end of this year. Tho ordinary market price at present is .£•1 103... ex store.

The Mayor 6aid the increase in price was due to the amalgamation of the New Zealand cement companies, the necessity for which had been brought about by the over-capitalisation of the industry, a state of affairs for which the pnblic was not responsible. The consumption of cement by the council/for the present year was estimated at 3999 tons. In afterwar years the requirements of the c'ty for rond-malcimr and oth»r purposes would be from 5000 tons to 6000 tons per annum. If the prices of cement were increased to something? near the market rates, an added expenditure of over ,£9OOO a year would he entailed. He was sure that the local bodies would not bo prepared to pay such prices.