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THE IRON INDUSTRY.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 19. A largo deputation, representing the employers and employees in the New Zealand iron industry, waited cn the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) v and the Minister of Customs (tho Hon R. McKenzie) this evening, asking for tariff protection to the extent of 33 1-3 per cent. duty. Mr. 1). McLaren, M.P., who introduced tile deputation, remarked that last year a similar deputation was informed that a report would be presented by a Government official, shelving tho condition of the industry, but ibis had not been published. Mr. Sullivan, president of the Canterbury Trades Council, said tho Trades Councils throughout the Dominion were unanimous in desiring 33 1-3 per coni: duty on imported ironwork. There had* been a rapid diminution in local employment, while imports had gone up to a million sterling per annum. Mr. J. B. Lauronson said the trade onlv wanted duty for machinery which •could be made in New Zealand. Tho capital invested in the industry was £663,000. The Government collected in duty only 4.43 per cent, of tho value of imported machinery, while Canada collected" 15.81 per cent. Mr. Young, secretary of the Federation of Labour, said the ironmasters would consent to a Board being set up to see 'that, if ghyn reasonable protection, manufacturers would not unduly charge purchasers. Mr. D. Robertsop, Wellington, said protection was needed to 'save the industry from collapse. In reply, the Prime Minister said that tariff revision could not bo -undertaken this session. However, he hoped tliis session to introduce legislation making provision in connection with tho latent resources of New Zealand. He had at tho present moment an offer to establish the iron industry in this country. It required 6500,000. In the opinion pf those who knew, tho term of years was longer than the Government was prepared to hand over an important industry of the kind to anyone for. It was estimated that £600,000 would be necessary to have an up-to-date scientific plant to enable everything we required to bo manufactured in New Zealand in the shape of iron and steel. The legislation he proposed to ask Parliament to pass was to give either power for private people to carry out ,the undertaking for a limited number of years, with the right of acquisition by the Government, or for tho Government to nationalise the industry and provide its own works. He was favourable to nationalising our iron resources. He had always been, but he had to consider whether the Government could as quickly bring the scheme into operation as a private concern could if the. Government stood aside for ten years. If this groat industry was started in conjunction with the natural stores of water-power to be controlled by the State, it would giyo New Zealand the strongest position in tho world as a manufacturing country. Before long the Government would appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the cost of living. He was prepared to include in its scope an enquiry into the cause of the troubles of the iron industry and other industries of Now Zealand. Ho had ho hesitation, in saying that if tho tariff could be readjusted on scientific linos it would enable many things on the deputation’s list to bo made in New Zealand. Already the Government had, by way of a bonus equal to the amount of freight, endeavoured to assist tho oil industry, and a certain amount of reciprocity was expected from that industry. Every country was bound to have a certain number of its people going away, but it was desirable to provide all possible opportunities at home. Tho Government now, for the first time, knew what was wanted by the iron trade. Mr. Fisher suggested that it might bo possible to pass amendments this session which would deal with the engineering industry alone. The Prime Minister replied that even if tho leaders of the. House agreed, nothing could prevent members making representations on behalf of other industries. .Mr. Poole; “They are asking already.” Hon. R. McKenzie: “The town versus country issue would be raised at once.” Mr. McLaren asked if the Government could prohibit local bodies purphasing imported ironwork out of loan monies. ' v Sir Joseph Ward replied that the only remedy was to return men to local bodies pledged to the proper course. Tho country would not tolerate legislation of a coercive character. -Mr. Robertson: You will he back here after the ejection's, I know. (Laughter.) Will you promise to do 'something then ? • Sir Joseph: I will have a revision of the tariff next session, and I will ho back all right to carry it out. (Applause).

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19110920.2.21

Bibliographic details

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 30, 20 September 1911, Page 5

Word Count
781

THE IRON INDUSTRY. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 30, 20 September 1911, Page 5

THE IRON INDUSTRY. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 30, 20 September 1911, Page 5

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