TOO MUCH CEMENT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 194, 12 May 1921, Page 6

TOO MUCH CEMENT

GOLDEN BAY WORKS CLOSING

WORKERS ASK FOR ASSISTANCE

The production of cement is now exceeding the demand, and cement is accumulating in New Zealand to such an extent that (ho works may have to close down. This matter was brought under the notice of the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir Francis Bell) yesterday by the president and secretary of tho Tarakoho (Golden Bay) Cement Workers' Union, who were introduced by Air. L. Glover. The officers of the union stated that the works employed about 120 men, of whom over 70 were married. The shortage of cement from which the Dominion had suffered last year had now disappeared, and the works were so overloaded with cement that the management had announced that operations must cease within a few days. Alost of the men had already received notice. There was no other work for them to take in the district, and the married men in particular would suffer great hardship if they had to seek work and accommodation elsewhere. Tho deputation suggested that the Government should take over the works for six months or through the winter, so as to keep them going. They did not think that there would be any difficulty about arrangingi this with the company, and there ought to be use for tho cement in a period of unemployment and housing shortage. Sir Francis Bell said that the change in the cement situation was extraordinary. A short time ago t'he Government had been compelled to restrict the use of cement, and works had been held up for lack of it. Now the Dominion had more cement than it could use. The request made by the deputation was not an unreasonable one, and he would consult the Board of Trade to see if anything could be done. But he could not make any promises. srery5 r ery many businesses were getting into a similar position, and would like to be taken over by the Government.