WHY ARE STATE IRONWORKS FORGOTTEN?

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 151, 23 December 1918, Page 8

WHY ARE STATE IRONWORKS FORGOTTEN?

TO THE EDITOR.

■■ Sir, —Sir Joseph Ward haa demonstrated by his recent Budget that he still has a masterly grasp of this Dominion's financial and industrial resources; and his zeal for aviation and the electrification of the country shows him ~to be rapidly acquiring a prophetic instinct relative to the next general . election. The statement since issued by the Hon. Minister for Public Works-looks somewhat in the same direction, shrewdly enough in view of the growing influence of Labour candidates for Parliament; but is surprisingly satisfactory undei the unique circumstance of coming- at 'the end of a great world war lasting over 4£ years. : ' '■';-,.

Yet both the Financial Statement-and the Public Works Statement this year are deeply disappointing in one other respect, of the greatest importance: industrially and imperially considered. I refer to the lack of any reference to the subject of starting State works for the purpose of manufacturing our own iron and steel from the country's natural stores of hematite ore. Quite a number of passages might be cited from the Hon. Mr Fraser's statement, proving that the Dominion's public works are generally paralysed at. present through inability to obtain structural iron and steel from outside countries. This metal famine has not only prevented the prosecution of road and railway construction, but it has paralysed, the building and; engineering trades throughout the country, as several years ago I predicted it would. Nor can the supply of our metal demands be met for many years after the final proclamation of peace. As I have many times pointed; out in detail, there is known to be an unlimited supply of mercantile iron ore of ihe highest quality "available, especially at Parapara; plus a sufficient supply .of local water-power, already partially-har-nessed, and easily applicable to" the generation of: current for electrical smejting. I would like, therefore, to;ask how it is that.both the Finance Minister and the Minister for Public Works have, under these circumstances, been so studiously silent on the subject of starting national works for the , production ; of mercantile or structural steel; especially atfer the specific promises < which have been repeated to the country for so many years? ■'". ■-■■.. ' :"-. ;' ' •

This Bubject is of much greater moment than that of supplying additionalbuildings to the schools, colleges, and universities; to which nearly half a million pounds extra has been allocated this year. I submit that out of the £400,000 devoted to building extension Tor educational purposes, at least half (or £200,----(XX]) should have been devoted to starting in earnest the long-promised works at Parapara; even if only to enable the South Island to keep pace with the iron and steel manufacturing industry-of the North Island, where there is nothing but magnetic iron ore available.

Neglect here is simply suicidal policy for the whole Dominion. Besides, hematite steel is essential even -to the successful prosecution of the' extended hydro-electrical schemes. Yet the mouths of all our M.P.'a appear to be muzzled. How is this? There appatn to be etill something strangely about both the ironfield and coalfields

of the Collingwood district. I As this subject is so yitally related to the country's essential industries, especially to the supply of shipping tonnage during the next ten or a'dozen years, and as it is further of such vas 1 imperial" as "well 'as ' local importance, I would suggest that organised ' efforts should be made urging the political leaders to bring the matter before the attention of the Imperial Industries Committed in London during their present visit. to the Mother Country.—l am, etc.,

JOSEPH TAYLOR. Nelson, 20th December.