IMPORTED IRONWORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15613, 20 May 1914, Page 11

IMPORTED IRONWORK.

Sir,—ln reply to Mr. P. Tudehope's letter, re "Imported Ironwork," I can assure him that if he likes to accompany me, I will show him, both in tho city anil Pamell, surface boxes .which have been

laid down only recently, and they bear the name of Blakeborough and Son, makers, Brighouse, which, I think, is in England. Mr. Tudehope also asserts that fittings are made locally. Will ho tell me where, as I would like to be enlightened? As far as I know, all bends, elbows, branches, knees, thimbles, deadends, and valves, etc.. are -all imported in tons, ■ which anyone can see if he visits the wharves or council yards, where John Burns, Staleybridge, stands out very prominent on them. As to his assertion that the last local tender accepted, being 25 per cent, higher than the other, I may state that I have an official letter from the town clerk, which states that it was nearly 20 per cent, higher than the other. I may also state that the engineer reports that the. boxes I refer to were ordered prior to the promise referred to. Does the council order castings years ahead, for the promise to support local tenders was given before ever Mr. Parr was installed as Mayor, when a deputation waited on the council in the old municipal chambers, I myself being present. In" reference to electrical boxes and fittings. I believe they are now made locally, but how many were imported when they commenced to lay the cables in the first instance? Mr. tudehope says I ought to know that what he states is true, that boxes and fittings are all made locally. Now, I say it is not true, in the face of what I have seen with my own eyes lately. I quite agree with Mr. Tudehope that the council are intrusted with tho. public moneys, and to allocate them to the best advantage, but charity begins at home, and even if a local tender is a little higher, and accepted, the whole community" benefits by the circulation of its own money, instead of the foreigner, and none of us suffer by it. However, lam more than pleased to hear that the councillors are all anxious to support local industry; and I.accept respectfully Mr, Tudehope's assurance that the council, in the future, will do everything to support local industry in every trade or profession. My reason for replying is just the same as. Mr. Tudehope's. • I don't want the impression to go around that I did not know what I was talking about. A. H. Philip, Secretary. Auckland Iron and Brass Moulders' Industrial Union of Workers.