ACUTE SHORTAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21922, 17 January 1946, Page 4

ACUTE SHORTAGE

PIG IRON AND COKE AUCKLAND FOUNDRIES ' PRODUCTION MAY CEASE (P.A.) AUCKLAND, a Jn. 17. “Unless supplies of pig iron and industrial coke arrive from Australia within three weeks many foundries in Auckland will be forced to cease production and hundreds of workers will be affected. The acute shortage of pig iron and coke is the aftermath of the serious Australian steel works and waterfront strikes. The _ position ot the engineering and allied industries is becoming desperate and we are extremely concerned,” said Mr. J. R. Don, secretary of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association, when interviewed.

‘We arc in the dark about the future position, but we have made representations to the Government to do all in its power to assist. We understand that .the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, has taken up the question with the liaison officer of the Minister of Supply in Australia.” Mr. Don added that his association had completed a survey of the effects of the pig iron and coke shortages on Auckland industries. One foundry employing 30 hands had three days’ suoply of pig iron and sufficient coke for two months. Another concern employing 24 men had one week’s supply of pig iron and from three _to four weeks’ supply of coke. All the industries concerned were short of either coke or pig iron and, if no further supplies were received, many would have to close down after three weeks.