ONEKAHA WORKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 229, 28 September 1931, Page 10

ONEKAHA WORKS

BUSY TILL DECEMBER. OVER A HUNDRED HANDS. NELSON, Sept. 24. “Although we are again working at full capacity, the duration of the period for which the Onckaka Iron Works will remain in operation depends solely upon two factors—the state of the depres sior in December next and the action the new Government will take in regard to the importation into New Zealand of Australian iron.” This statement was made by the works manager (Mr. J. A. Heskeft) of the iron works, in the course of an interview. The pipe plant, Heskett, had now been in operation for five months, and he was pleased to say that the results were entirely satisfactory. The contract with the Wellington Gas Company, for the supply of 900 tons of 24in. pipes, had practically been completed and contracts for smaller-sized pipes were receiving attention. The blast furnace had been in operation for a fortnight, making pig iron for the foundry trade, and operations generally were very satisfactory. Referring to the importation into the Dominion of Australian iron, Mr. Heskett declared that this had been made possible by the adverse rate of exchange, which was detrimental to the local industry. “As I have already mentioned, the future of Onekaka de pends largely upon the action the Coa-

lition Government will take to prevent the importation of Australian iron,” he said. “The survival of the iron i'ndus try in New Zealand means adequate tariff protection, and it i 8 to be hoped that the Government will give serious consideration to this matter within the next few weeks.” It would be remembered, continued Mr. Heskett. that when the Oneka,.a Iron and Steel Company shipped some 2000 tons of pig iron to Australia the Federal Government immediately put o* sufficient duty to prohibit any further export of iron from New Zealand to Australia. So quickly did the Common, wealth authorities act that only a pc.--t.iou of tho cargo had been discharged at Melbourne when the Customs officials placed an embargo on further unloading until an additional change of £1 a ton was paid. “Similar protection is urgently needed in New Zealand at. the present time,” added Mr. Heskett, and it is to be hoped that tho nev Government will realise the seriousness of tho position.” In reply to a question, Mr. Heskett said that there was enough work <>u hand to continue operations until December, but unless Government assistance in the way of tariff protection wore, forthcoming, there was no guarantee that the works would carry on next year. At present 110 men are employed at tho works.