SHORTAGE OF PIG IRON IS CAUSING CONCERN

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1947, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF PIG IRON IS CAUSING CONCERN

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, This Day. Despite urgent representations to the Government by the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association, it appears that it will be the’ middle of October at least before much relief can be expected by the metal industries, which are desparately in need of pig iron for castings.

The association is renewing its request for positive action. Replying to the Association’s reprethe Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Nordmeyer, said he had looked into the position and found 2850 tons of steel and steel products and 50 tons of coke coming forward in the vessel Salamaua, due at Auckland tomorrow. Although 810 tons of pig iron was being shipped by the vessel Fort Coulonge, it was regretted that the vessel had been delayed and would not arrive until about the end of August. The vessel was also bringing further steel supplies. The matter of reopening the coke works at Westport was being examined, said the Minister. Commenting on the Minister’s statement, the secretary of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association, Mr J. R. Don, said the Auckland foundries would be in dire straits by the middle of next month. It would probably be the middle of October until supplies from the Fort Coulonge would actually be available for use and till then production must cease, with repercussions on employment and other industries.