REARMAMENT IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22484, 19 August 1938, Page 15

REARMAMENT IN BRITAIN

-■ ' ♦ EFFECT ON STEEL INDUSTRY GOOD FUTURE PREDICTED FOR AUSTRALIA (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.' WELLINGTON, August 18. The belief that a recession in the armament manufacturing industry in Great Britain would not result in depressed conditions was expressed by Mr A. G. Briggs, a director of the' English Steel Corporation, Sheffield, in an interview aboard the Awatea, in which he arrived from Sydney this morning. Rearmament had had a tremendously stimulating effect, he said, but only on certain sections of the steel industry. The shipyards .were busy with orders fof the Navy, but there was a need for more ships for the mercantile marine, which required strengthening. - Mr Briggs said that he had been very favourably impressed with the industrial development of Australia. He remarked on the growth of the steel industry in Newcastle, and said that the industry appeared certain to grow until in addition to meeting all Australia’s home requirements in certain classes of steel, it would also build up a valuable export rriarket. Mr Briggs said that he would prefer not to comment on the projected establishment of steel /works in New Zealand. He will remain in the Dominion for four days. ■