Australian Steel For N.Z.

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1949, Page 5

Australian Steel For N.Z.

WELLINGTON, Thu. (P.A.)-'T know there is an earnest desire on the part of the Australian Government and manufacturers to supply as much steel as they can to the New Zealand market,” said the Australian High Commissioner (Mr R. A. Cutler. V.C.) today.

He was replying to a statement m Parliament by the Minister of Works (Mr Semple) that it would be years before New Zealand obtained another bar of steel from Australia.

Mr Cutler said there was a worldwide arid acute shortage of steel and Australia had riot been able to supply all her own domestic requirements.

“But, even so, a proportion of the steel produced in Australia always has been allotted for the New Zealand market,” he said.

“The policy of sending at least some steel to New Zealand will, no doubt, be continued in future because New Zealand is our closest overseas market, and also because of Commonwealth ties and the mutual desire of Australia and New Zealand to assist each other as far as possible in their trading.” TEMPORARY HOLD-UP

It was only to be expected, added Mr Cutler, that there would be a temporary hold-up in supplies owing to the present industrial troubles in Australia, but a proportion of steel would be available in New Zealand when conditions returned to normal. Mr Cutler’s statement was corroborated by Mr George Hyde, liaison officer for the Broken Hill Proprietary, Ltd., in New Zealand. He said there was a small shipment en route to New Zealand and a larger one awaiting loading.

Iron From Britain

HOBART (Tas.) Thu. (1.20 p.m.) The Tasmanian Government has decided to support a move by the Government’s of West Australia and South Australia foi importation of upwards of 100,000 tons oi galvanised roofing iron’from Britain.

. The proposal will be considered oy all Australian Premiers. West Australia and South Australia suggest the Commonwealth should subsidise the purchase to meet the difference'in cost'between Australian and British products. Tht Tasmanian Government has already ordered aluminium roofing for 250 homes from England and tiles for 150 from Italy.