MORE ABOUT CEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1922, Page 8

MORE ABOUT CEMENT.

QUESTION BY MR. R. MASTERS, M.P. GOVERNMENT AND COMPANIES. (From Our Own Correspondent.)' Wellington, July 13. More information about cement is being sought by the member for Stratford (Mr. Masters), whose statement concerning the relations between the cement companies and the Board of Trade made a stir last year. Mr. Masters is asking if it is a fact that the Government has entered into a contract for the supply of cement with the Wilson Cement Company and the Milburn Cement Company for a period of six months from June 1, 1922, at £7 'lss per ton less 2 1 /, per cent c.i.f. Nelson. He mentions in connection with the question that British cement of the very best quality has recently been landed on Motueka wharf at £6* Ils per ton, this price including the coastal freight from Wellington. Mr. Masters has given notice also to' move for a return showing the details of the agreement between the Government and the cement companies for the supply of cement at various centres from June 1, 1922, to November 30, 1922. A question on the same subject has come from Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson), who wants to know if the Government thinks it advisable to enforce the anti-dump-ing clauses of the Customs Act against a large importation of British cement, in view of the necessity for low priced and high quality building material and the fact of a 310 per cent increase of profits being shown by the Wilson Cement Company between the years 1920 and 192’2. A Gazette notice dealing with this question has stated that the extra duty is to be imposed on cement that is being landed “at a cost below that at which locally made cement can be sold.” Mr. Atmore asks if “can be sold” means “is being sold.”