IMPORTED ENGINES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2381, 10 February 1915, Page 6

IMPORTED ENGINES

AN ILLUMINATING DISCUSSION. A reference .to the importation o? American engines to the order of the\ New Zealand Government was made at tile meeting of, the Wellington Industrial Association last evening. In reply to an inquiry from the secretary on the subject, Messrs. Price Brothers, of Thames, wrote stating that thoy had on order from the Government which would keep their 6hops fully occupied for'two years. They could not therefore tender for the supply of these new engines. In any case the American firm wore contracting: to deliver the finished locomotives in less time than a New Zealand firm would require to import the material wherewith to construct the engines. Mr. Ballinger remarked after hearing the letter read: "-That information should have been made public. I heard that Price Brothers could not make the engines in New Zealand and I didn't believe it. This letter makes the position quite clear." The chairman (Mr. Norwood) said that a great deal had been said about the importation of these engines because there happened to be an election pending. A great deal of use had been made-of it. Mr. Massey had made it quite clear that the business of the railways was increasing at such a speed that more engines were absolutely necessary. They could not be procured from' England soon enough, and they could , not be. made in New Zealand. This left only America. There, not only could the Government get the engines very quickly, but they could get them at a much lower prico than they would have had to pay in England or New Zealand. The difficulties of procuring-any<engineering material from England at-.this time were not appreciated by. the public, and there was this ' point ; 'to be considered also — whether this" practical friendliness towards a neutral nation would not be .productive of a treat deal of good.