TOOL STEEL

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16816, 7 June 1926, Page 6

TOOL STEEL

A WARNING TO USERS. UNSCRUPULOUS METHODS. : (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. A warning is issued to Dominion users of tool steel by Mr L. B. Beale, His Majesty's ’Trade Commissioner in Now Zealand, as a result of information whicti he lias received. Those desirous of purchasing tool steel, before placing orders with representatives of firms not previously known to them, should take tlie greatest care to satisfy themselves as to the bona tides of the principals, and also as to the accuracy of the documents which they may be asked to sign. It is stated that certain tool steel houses in New Zealand, in Hie past, have adopted in New Zealand, Australia, and elsewhere extremely unprincipled methods of obtaining orders. The procedure followed, although simple, has proved remarkably effective, particularly as calls are made principally not upon established melal importers, but upon small manufacturing concerns and sawmills, engineering shops, municipal engineers, etc. Tlie glowing account of the quality of the steel frequently leads to tlie buyer signing what lie believes to be a small simple order made out in metric terms, or for a few sample bars. In Hie former case the quantity of steel delivered often proves lo be many times what was expected, while in tlie latter the bars are found to be of unusual length. As regards quality, steel for which a fancy price was paid proved “mere rubbish," and' in another case was invoiced at £2OO per ton, and valued by an expert at £3O. Even more insidious methods have been adopted in other countries and have proved, to some extent, successful in a sister Dominion.

Firms who arc doubtful as to the bona fidcs of individuals offering ostensible British tool steel are advised to communicate with Mr Beale. For the benefit oT any who have already been misled, Mr Beale adds that in several recent cases at Homo firms have refused, in spite of threats of legal proceedings, to accept delivery, a course followed by highly satisfactory results.