THE IRON INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 220, 10 June 1908, Page 5

THE IRON INDUSTRY.

$ LITfIGOW WORKS. WORKERS' ALTERNATIVE. REDUCTION OF WAGES OR NONE. it TELEGRAPH —FREES ASSOCIATION —OOPTBIOBT. Sydney, Juno 9. The failure of tlio Federal llouso of Representatives to pass the Manufacturers En-, couragomcnt (Iron Bonus) Bill has plnccd thr, Lithgow Ironworks in a critical position. Tho firm intends to ask the employees tp accept a reduction of wages ranging from 5 to 12J per cent, till tlio Bill is re-intro-duced in Septembor. In tho event of tho proposed reduction boing refused, tho works will bo kept going for a month to enable the men to seek work elsewhere. DROP IN PIG-IRON.

It was hoped that tho Lithgow ironworks had " turned tlio corner" when tho old-established firm of Messrs. G. and C. lloskins camo to tho rescue and took the place of Mr. Sandford. The drop in pig-iron lias, however, further clouded tho outlook. Mr. Charles lloskins, of the firm of G. and C. lloskins, recently went to Melbourne to lay before tho membors of tho House of Representatives tho necessity for passing the Manufactures Encouragement Bill. Mr. lloskins pointod out that since tho hlast furnaco was taken over from Mr. Sarfdford by his firm, the price of pig-iron had dropped 9s. a ton. Tho .drop in tho last week in May alono was 2s. per ton, and tho tendency was still downwards. "If," said Mr. lloskins, "tho necessity for a bonus existed in Mr. Sandford's time, it is imperative now." Mr. Hoskins stated that unless some encouragement was given by way of a bonus it was possible that the Wast furnace would be a failure.