POWER POLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1938, Page 8

POWER POLES

SHORTAGE IN AUSTRALIA DENIED STATEMENT BY TRADE COMMISSIONER. STEPS TO OBVIATE DELAYS IN DELIVERY. (Ey Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Comment is made by Mr C. E. Critchley, Australian Trade Commis-’ sioner. in regard to the reported statement of the Hon R. Semple (Minister of Public Works) to the Banks Peninsula Power Board that a type of reinforced power pole has been evolved which is expected to supersede the hardwood pole from Australia, and his incidental remark that the supply of hardwood poles was so depleted that Australia was said to be two years behind with its orders, and in fact nearing the end of its own supplies. Mr Critchley states that while delays have occurred in deliveries, only in a few instances have they been as long as two years, and many orders are delivered within the specified times. The delays have given considerable concern to the forestry authorities in Australia and the position has been the subject recently of investigation and conferences between the New South Wales Forestry Department and timber suppliers. Some of the causes were found in the systems of cutting timber, and at times delays have been due to shipping difficulties. Steps were now being taken to remove these causes and arrangements were being made which it was expected would ensure New Zealand getting its requirements readily and assuredly over a continuous period of years. There were ample supplies of poles available in Australia for many years to come, not only of the ironbark commonly used in New Zealand, but of other hardwoods acceptable to Australian engineers, and with the steps being taken by Australia to remedy difficulties at that end, and if New Zealand would assist by standardising its requirements, delays should disappear entirely. There was no shortage in Australia and New Zealand would then be assured of supplies of poles which, in many conditions are more suitable than concrete, and which in general cost considerably less.