BALDWIN REFUSES INQUIRY INTO IRON AND STEEL TRADE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 25 February 1929, Page 7

BALDWIN REFUSES INQUIRY INTO IRON AND STEEL TRADE

COMMITTEE DISSATISFIED. British Official Wireless. Received Sunday 7.0 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 22. In reply to a request of the Iron and Steel Trades’ Confederation for a Commission of inquiry into the conditions of the industry, the Prime Minister, while expressing sympathy with their difficulties, says he thinks an inquiry would not be helpful to the industry He points out that tho committee on industry and trade, now sitting under the chairmanship of Sir Arthur Balfour, has already presented a detailed report on the iron and steel industry and says it is obviously unnecessry that any inquiry should traverso tho ground again so recently covered by the Balfour committee. Moreover, in framing a rational reform scheme, the government had paid particular attention to the needs of the iron and steel trade and reliefs under that scheme, both from tho viewpoint of rates and railway freights, arc designed and calculated to bo of special benefit to this particular industry. It is the policy of the Conservative government, if returned to power, to allow the iron and steel industry to make application under the safeguarding of industries procedure. It will then have an opportunity of stating its case before an independent tribunal.

The executive of the Confederation, in reply, expressed disappointment at the Prime Minister’s decision. It says tho courso suggested by tho Prime Minister would involve unnecessary delay and as it would bo dependent, on the general election, would introduce an clement of political controversy. It adds that the Balfour commitee’s general survey would not be sufficiently complete as regards the iron and steel industry. The executive hopes the Prime Minister may find it possible, on reconsideration, to set up the committee it proposed.