ONAKAKA IRON

Wairarapa Daily Times, 17 January 1938, Page 4

ONAKAKA IRON

* ‘ GREAT POSSIBILITIES. ’ * “It appears from the evidence in front of us that there are great possibilities for the establishment of an iron industry based on the deposits at Onakaka,” stated the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in reply to an inquiry in an interview on Saturday. The question was before Cabinet at present, he said.

The Prime Minister said it was not easy to get steel from the Old Country at present, and it was true that the recent increase in the price in Australia had made the position more difficult. He indicated that this position had accentuated interest in the possibility of establishing the industry in Nehv Zealand.

The shortage had already affected Government contracts, Mr. Savage added, and the higher price would also naturally have its influence. Although the Prime Minister did not say so, it is understood that he may visit the Onakaka deposits during the visit to the South Island which he hopes to make before Parliament resumes. The Government has had the opening of Onakaka under consideration for several months, and the Minister of Finance, tlio Hon. W. Nash,, made exhaustive inquiries into the pos- j sibilities when ho was in England.