KEEN QUESTIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 98, 6 February 1936, Page 5

KEEN QUESTIONS

CHEMICALS AND ARMS.

position of British firms.

RESUMPTION OF INQUIRY.

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 5. At the resumed sitting of the Arms Inquiry Sir Philip Gibbs and 1 other commissioners keenly questioned feir Harry McGowan (chairman of Imperial Chemicals, Ltd.,) about the - military products of that company. Sir Harry McGowan said that- while not an arms firm in time of peace they had great. potential; resources for the manufacture of military material. Much of their equipment could he converted to war time uses. The firm manufactured no mustard or lethal gas. The company exported chlorine for commelcial purposes. There had been a noticeable increase to warring countries. Sir Philip Gibbs, alluding io the evidence at the American Arms Inquiry, said it seemed that Imperial. Chemical Industries, Ltd. acted the part of Dr. Joky 11 and Mr Hyde in China, selling powder explosives in some parts and fertilisers in others. , Sir Harry McGowan said that if the Chinese Government wanted anything his firm sold it to them. , Sir Philip Gibbs: You were no doubt supplying Japanese for the Manchuria simultaneously with sui plying Chinese with materials to defend Manchuria. . Sir Harry McGowan: If a manufacturer does not supply them thev would put up their own plant. Sir Philip Gibbs alluded to arrangements that Imperial stries had with firms abroad. He. stanced a plan under whiehcartridges for Hotchkiss guns could he made a Italy where guns were being made. “i’imagine you helped this firm o make cartridges for use m a war o which the League has shown disapprovin' Harry McGowan: Tli e agreement expired on November 1, had not shown them somebody else Philip Gibbs: That is not a very good answer. Sir Harry McGowan read a * ette r sent to a ; representative in South America emphasising that Imperial Chemical Industries was? anxious to avoid foreign countries having supplies of explosives needlessly, and stressing that the position was difficult because if private firms'refused orders theGovernments would start their own factories. , ... Sir Pliilip Gibbs said the letter was impressive, but it had not always been the policy of Imperial Chemical Industries. . - ■ ■' • • '£'• v : . The chairman (Sir Eldon Bankes) asked what- was the purpose of the firm’s numerous investments in foreign

companies. ; ... Sir Harry. McGowan :We think-it a good thing to do. You can at . least see what the Government of the country is doing. It is a. good investment and better if there happens to:' be war. Sir Harry McGowan stressed that Imperial Chemical Industries ' had lio international arrangement detrimental to the British Government. P; The inquiry was adjourned- ...;- *?'"