CEMENT SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 131, 26 February 1921, Page 8

CEMENT SUPPLIES

ACUTE POSITION IN WELLINGTON

WATERFRONT HOLD-UP MAKES SITUATION WORSE

The acute position that exists in regard to cement supplies for the Wellington district was referred to by the Hon. E. I’. Lee, Minister of Industries and Commerce, yesterday. “As a result of the recent coal mining trouble,” said M>. Lee, “especially tho strike at Kaitangata and tho temporary closing of the Kiripaka mine, tho operations of both the Milburn Limo and Cement Company at Dunedin, and of lhe Wilson’s Portland Cement Conipany, at Auckland, were seriously hampered, the output being reduced to less than half the normal output. This meant a temporary loss of practically 1000 tons per week. These cement works Ire now again working at their full capacity, but of course the loss of out • put while coal supplies were short canxiot possibly be made good. “Supplies for AVellington were affected by the reduced output at Auckland, and the position has been further aggravated by the trouble on tho waterfront. The most regular supplies for Wellington are obtained from Golden Bay, but these supplies are quite inadequate to meet the demand, and shipments are arranged whenever possible from the Auckland works. As a matter of fact, 1000 tons were actually loaded at Auckland for AVel’ingtou at the beginning of this week, but as there was no possibility of the cargo being unloaded, and the shipping company was not prepared to allow the boat to come to Wellington, it was necessary to divert tho cargo to New Plymouth. Wellington was thus deprived of 1000 tons which would have somewhat relieved the position. Several shipments of imported cement, induced to some extent by tho remission of duty allowed by the Government, have arrived and further quantities from overseas are included in tho cargoes of vessels now awaiting discharge at Wellington.”

BIPORTED CEMENT REIMPOSITION OF DUTY. , Tn consequence of tho shortage of cement in tho Dominion last year, duo mainly to tho lack of coal supplies. Cabinet, on tho recommendation of the Board of Trade decided on July 2S last' that tho duty be remitted on imported cement. Tho Minister of Industries and Commerce informed a representative of The Dominion yesterday that Cabinet had now reviewed the position, and had 'decided that, in view of the reduced prices quoted for imported cement, tho order for tho remission of the duty on this cement be cancelled as from April 1 next.