WORKS CLOSING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 17, 17 December 1932, Page 8

WORKS CLOSING.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Dec. 16. The works of Wilsons (New Zealand) Portland Cement Company Limited, at Portland will close on December 23, and it is uncertain when they will reopen in the New Year, according to the works manager, Mr T. H. Wilson. Tho storage bins will be full to capacity on the date of closing, and, with the closing of the works, the kilns will also be closed. Only a few of the permanent staff will then be required. The shipping of cement orders will still be carried on and the necessary men for this work will be employed from the ranks of the normal staff. It is estimated that 120 men will be affected by the closing of the works, practically all of them being married. For some considerable time the position of the cement industry has been very unsatisfactory, and the company has been compelled to close the work for varying periods during the year owing to lack of orders and the fact that all storage bins have been full. “Although December is usually a slack month for cement orders, the position during the past fortnight has been exceptionally bad,” said Mr Wilson. “In view of the position generally, it is uncertain when the works will reopen in the New Year, and a great deal will depend upon shipments during the next few weeks.”