Onekaka Scheme Condemned

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 63, 16 March 1938, Page 5

Onekaka Scheme Condemned

MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT ON DEFENCE Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Last Night. Strong criticism of the Government’s intention to establish a State steel industry at Onekaka was expressed by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce to-night. Although several members : agreed that sucu an industry necessary to the country, the opinion was unanimously expressed that the Government had been remiss in us failure to take the public into its confidence regarding the position the industry would play in the Dominion's economic system. It was also contended that at a time when the couutry’s defence should be one of the major considerations of tne Government, tho expenditure of £5,000,000 on an industry which might not be economically sound was a grave mistake After a full discussion the following resolution was carried:--“That while this Chamber fully supports the various and proper development of our resources, it views with dismay the action of the Government in passing legislation for the establishment of iron and steel works and enters a strong protest against committing the country to an expenditure of £5,000,000 without first advising the people of the country on the details of the report on which its decision is based and the part it visualises the works will play in the national economy of the country. It urges the Government, before actually engaging in the project, to re-considcr tho whole question, especially taking into account the urgent need for adequate expenditure on national defence and for the preservation of the country’s liquid resources so that it wiy be better able to withstand a serious fall in the prices of our export products.”

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