IN AUSTRALIA. THE METALS QUESTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8204, 29 July 1915, Page 5

IN AUSTRALIA.

THE METALS QUESTION.

MELBOURNE, July 28.; W The Broken Hill Associated Smelters, in reply to Mr Hughes's statement, says that the eo-mpsuiy was formed only this year with a .-capital t,t i' 750,000, subscribed by the .N'orcJi and Proprietary Broken Hill Companies and tho Zinc Corporation, with the object of smelting and refining the whole outnut of Broken Hill.. Under tho arti-

des of association, foreign shareholders were prohibited, and no alien was allowed to participate, in the management. An independent agency was established in London to soil direct to consumers. Tho Board on a number of occasions refused': to. .do business withl certain London firms, g'ciiie of which were apparently -approved' of officially.' The company claims..that all its operations'are free from Gennaninfluence' or control. On June 2 it repeated to the British Government' ah. offer to sell its whole output at such prices arid'.forsuch a period „.ikthei' British Govern-:, ment desired. Negotiations were proceeding, it ■ being"'understood.-.iliai. tho companies offered to . accept substantially lower prices than the-ruling'market prices. .■••■■■ The statement adds that.Mr. Hughes apparently believes that the Broken Hill Proprietary and the Associated Smelters Proprietary are really the same company. . This is a mistake and has such grotesque consequences in. his statement that no reply is necessary to a number of his allegations.