LACK OF STEEL DESCRIBED AS A “DISASTER”

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1949, Page 5

LACK OF STEEL DESCRIBED AS A “DISASTER”

SYDNEY, This Day (Rec. 10.40 a,m.).—The president of the Metal Trades Employers’ Association, Mr H. G. Ferrier, said that the present shortage of steel in Australia was a national disaster. "Steel producers are still short of coal and their production is only 60 per cent, of the normal,” he added. “The effect of this is felt in some way by every man, woman and child in the country. . “Drastic steps should be taken to enable Australian steel-works to reach capacity production.” The executive director of the Building Industry Congress, Mr D. Stewart Fraser, .said that the shortages of iron and steel products had held up the servicing of many new homes in New h South Wales. The State .building industry this yeai’ would be short of 12,000 tons of galvanised iron, 13,000 tons of reinforcing rods, 19,000 tons of spung piping, 4000 of cast iron basins, 4000 sinks and 200 baths. The executive meeting of the Australian Metal Industries’ Association, has sent a telegram to the Prime Minister, Mr Chifley, asking that Australian steel-works be given the highest priority in coal supplies.