STATE STEEL MONOPOLY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22345, 8 March 1938, Page 10

STATE STEEL MONOPOLY

FARMERS' UNION PROTEST fcPBESS A.SSOCUTIOS TULEGHAM .> WELLINGTON, March 7 > The New Zealand Farmers' Union in a statement protests against the Government's proposal to establish and steel works at Onekaka. The union is strongly opposed to the principle of State ownership," it states. "This measure appears to be a concession to the Socialists The monopoly, particularly as it is Statecontrolled, must mean higher prices It would appear that the Government is following the principle which it has adopted with the Railways Department in buying up other transport systems to meet the greatly-increased St con U trol d UndCr direct Gove'.'lron enters into the cost of most things used on farms," adds the state ment, "and the farmers' lSdl of cost

is already too heavy without adding to it. The relief of unemployment would be infinitesimal, as the ma* - "" ity of workers will need to be m ' ported. The scheme will be anoth^ - millstone round the necks of the people and another weight which wul bear heavily on primary producers" Telegrams in terms of* the resolution have been sent by the union to the Prime Minister (Mr Savage> and the Minister for Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan^.