A Steel War

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 61, 12 March 1941, Page 6

A Steel War

This war has been variously spoken of as “an air war,” “an oil war” and so forth; quite aptly termed, but likewise it could be dubbed a steel war. For mechanisation means steel — in great quantities and, even more to the point, in highest qualities. How then does Britain stand, as compared with Germany, in regard to this supreme sinew of war?

There has just been published in New York by “Iron Age” authoritative estimates of 1940 steel production. The world total is given as 157,795,000 tons. (In value this production was 200 per cent, greater than New Zealand’s record exports of that same year.) The leading producer was U.S.A. with 65,250,000 tons, Germany came next with 28,000,000, Russia third with 22,750,000 tons and Britain fourth with 15,000,000 tons. It is noted that Germany’s output fell 1,400,000 tons from 1939, whilst Britain fell but 119,000 tons. In the light of the passage of the Lease-and-Lend Bill in U.S.A., the enormous American capacity has become of paramount importance. It exceeds Germany’s by more than twice over. Nor does Britain stand alone. Australia is producing 1,500,000 tons yearly of steel, while South Africa, India and Canada also are producers of consequence, so that in all the Dominions’ production will be in the region of 7,000,000 tons this year. That added to Britain’s will give an Empire output of 22,000,000 tons. Thus, when deduction is made from Germany’s for necessary supplies to her partner Italy, the German and British productions will be about equal. America’s weight thrown upon the scale should give a decisive advantage.