NATIONS IN NEED OF STEEL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20667, 4 March 1937, Page 7

NATIONS IN NEED OF STEEL

REIEF AT AMERICAN SETTLEMENT FEVERISH DEMAND FOR SUPPLIES United Press Association—Bv Electrio Telegra p 6 —Copyright (Received March 3, 9.5 p.m.) PITTSBURG, March 3. The Carnegie Steel Corporation at Illinois has signed an agreement with the Union, granting recognition, wage increases, 40-hour week and other demands, thus ending the possibility of a general steel strike in the spring, which had previously been freely predicted. The agreement is the first with an independent trade union in the history of the United States Steel Corporation. News Welcomed in Washington The news was received with rejoicing in Washington by Miss Frances Perkins (Secretary of Labour) ahd Senator Edison (Secretary for the Navy). The latter announced he would immediately re-advertise for bids for 25,000,0001 b of steel urgently needed for naval construction. He indicated that the officials feel that a settlement of the steel troubles is particularly timely. This is due to the announcement that Britain will have 25 capital ships in 1942 and the recognised policy of the United States to keep pace with the leaders. VICTORY FOR ORGANISED LABOUR STEEL CORPORATION’S NEW SPIRIT United Press Association—By fci-ctuc Telegraph —Copyright (Received March 3, 10.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 3. United States Steel has been one ot the bitterest foes of organised labour and, the conference resulting in an agreement for the first time in the past 50 years, the Corporation is even willing to discuss negotiation with the Unions. Therefore the C. 1.0. victory is hailed by Union leaders and the Administration at Washington as a forerunner to widespread acceptance of the Walsh-Healey Act. A minimum labour standard in other large industries is now believed probable. Some quarters consider that President Roosevelt is delaying presentation of his labour legislation programme in the hope that other industries will follow the lead of the steel and motor industries ill entering wage and hour agreements through bargaining. DUTY ON PIG IRON REMOVED BRITAIN’S IMPORTANT DECISION HEAVY DEMAND FOR STEELMAKING United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Gonvrlght (Received March 3, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 2. The Government has announced that owing to the serious world-wide shortage of steel, it is admitting pig iron free as from March 3, and it is reducing the duty from 20 per cent, to 10 per cent, on iron and steel imports. The demand for pig iron, particularly for steel-making, how exceeds the supplies available from England and elsewhere in the Empire, resulting in the steel industry being hampered in its efforts to cope with the increased demand for steel. Every country is conserving its supplies, greatly increasing Britain's difficulty In securing imports. Japan is suffering more than most countries from the shortage, largely owing to increased armaments construction. Sixty buildings in Tokio are held up by the steel shortage, while the work in the munition factories and naval yards is slowing down.