IMPORTED IRONWORK.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 51, 1 March 1909, Page 6

IMPORTED IRONWORK.

MANUFACTURERS' PROTEST. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON", this day. The tendency of local authorities to go out of the Dominion for iron work and machinery that could be manufactured in this country -was referred to by the vißiting ironmasters at their conference yesterday. The matter was raised by Mr. Warnock, of Auckland, who complained that local firms were not afforded an opportunity of tendering for work in connection with the electric crane equipment. Such work, he said, could have been well done locally. He also complained that in the case of oil launches built for the Defence Department, the specification had been drawn up in two different ways. In one case horse power was required, and in another a certain speed was stipulated. The local branch was

anxious to know if the specifications had been satisfactorily fulfilled. It was resolved to address the Auckland Harbour Board upon the matter of the cranes. Mr. Scott (Port Gnalmers) referred to dredger parts imported from Australia. He understood that while there wa.s no duty on certain machinery there was a duty of 20 per cent on parts, but there appeared to be some doubts about what should and what should not pay duty as parts. Australia, he pointed out, imposed 33 1-3 against partis sent from New Zealand, but it was from Australia that the parts for dredges principally came. It was resolved to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister for Customs , .