"ENCOURAGE COLONIAL INDUSTRIES."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8162, 21 July 1906, Page 2

"ENCOURAGE COLONIAL INDUSTRIES."

NEW ZEALAND VERSUS IMPORTED CEMENT.

Tlio lime lias arrived when the colonially manufactured product is able to take and maintain its place side by side with tho imported article.. The prejudice against the product of our own hands is gradually dying away but it has been a long and painful process, fraught with difficulties on every hand. New Zcalaoders no longer prefer their woollen olothing to bear the work of British manufacture. They are content I hat our wool shall bo manufa'hind into cloth without leaving the colony, and they are satisfied with the result. Tho New Zealand

born does not ask for " British leather." mado from New Zealand hides; he is pleased with the article as tanned in the oolony. Short term tests, however, are sufficient to prove the quality of a blanket or a boot. The same does not apply equally to cement. Here the test is the tost of

time. As far as ordinary concrete work is concerned the value of colonial cement has long been proved, and many assert that the ' Star ' brand of Portland dement is bettor than the imported article. This matter came before tho New Plymouth Harbour Board on Friday, when a letter was read from Messrs John Wilson and Co., cement and hydraulic lime manufacturers, who asked that the conditions of the Board's cement contract be amended so that the New Zealand cement could corapeto on the same terms as the imported cement Last year the firm approached tho Board in regard to this matter, requesting that New Zealand manufacturers should be given a chance to tender; and the reply was " that the Board was not inclined to interfere with the arrangement already made by its engineer." The writer could understand tho Board specifying imported cement if there were none available in the colony equally as good; but felt fU'e that if members knew what had been done with the Portland cement manufactured by this company they would aooede to tho request, especially as the Board's engineer had stated he would offer no objection to its use. The "Sar" brand Portland oement had stood the test of time in marine use, having been used in the Rangitoto beacon, entrance to Auckland harbor, in 1886, 20 years ago, and tho work was perfectly sound today. Altogether 15,000 tons had been . successfully used in harbor works at Auckland, Gisborne, Napier, Wellingi ton, and Patea. The Napier breakwater, one of the most important and

Otposed marine works in the oolony. was absolute proof of the high-class quality and durability of this cement m breakwater work. The firm contended that, quality and price being equal, colonial cement should have preference. Mr Hine said Wilson's cement had been used in tho Waitara north wall at the entrance to the harbor, and there was not fault to find.

The chairman thought that work rather recent to quote as a test, but Mr Hine replied that the wall had been built six'coa years ago, and had been fully exposed to the se.is. He thought it a fair test. The chairman said this was news to him. He thought tho work more recent.

Mr McLean said he considered the cement better than the imported. That was his experience. The chairman remarked that ho had not known of the Kangitoto beacon test. That altered matters somewhat, but the'r engineer had not recommended use of this cement.

Mr Maxwell urged that future tenders should be called, so that New Zealand manufacturers could compete. Wilson's made a first-class cement, as had been proved oyer and over auain, Last year the Board had not been aware that it had been tested in marine work and given satisfaction, but they knew that it was as good as the best Eiglish for general use. He knew tiat sjme blocks put down many years a.*o at the breakwater, but the water had got in, and tho salt hid caused a slight disintegration. But it had not been proved that the cement was at fault ; the cause may have been faulty mixing. At any rate, Napior had used the cement for years, and still used it in breakwater work, so their engineer must be satisfied with it. Tho-Wellington engineer, a careful and successful man, also continued its usage. Mr Connctt interjected that Wellington and New Plymouth conditions differed considerably. Mr Maxwell: Well, there's Rangi-

toto to stand by. The outcome of tho discussion was that Mr Maxwell gave notice to move at next meeting that a previous resolution of the Board be rescinded in order to allow of New Zealand manufacturers competing for the Board's contracts.