IRON PRODUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21415, 8 May 1941, Page 8

IRON PRODUCTION

PROGRESS AT ONEKAKA RECONDITIONING OF PLANT ROLLING MILLS DUPLICATED (By Telegrapn.—Tress Association) NELSON, Thursday “Good progress is being made with the reconditioning of the Onekaka iron works, and it is expected that the production of pig iron will begin in about two months,” said the Hon. D. G. Sullivan today. “With the extension of the war and the consequent additional problems in securing and maintaining supplies of essential metals,” Mr Sullivan proceeded, “prompt action was called for to ensure that our work in manufacture of munitions would proceed according to schedule and that our industrial effort should be interfered with as little as possible. The Government and the War Cabinet some time ago gave full consideration to the possible repercussions that might affect industry through the shortage of supplies of iron and steel. Every possible step was taken to build up stocks and all possible measures were taken to alleviate the situation. Early Start Expected “Having explored every source of supply and every potential source of supply, we naturally gave thought to the Onekaka works and the reconditioning of blast furnaces there. A complete survey was made and a decision reached that the situation merited the re-conditioning of the plant. The entire plant is therefore being repaired and is rapidly being brought into working order by the Public Works Department. Good progress is being made and we anticipate that the furnace will be ready for a ‘blow in’ for the production of pig iron in about two months. So long as necessity justifies the operation of the plant we will go on producing iron at Onekaka. To do this we will require the services of 80 men. “In addition we have taken another very important step in the duplication of the small steel rolling plant at Green Island, Dunedin. The present plant at Green Island is capable of rolling a number of sections of round and square bars, and by duplicating the rolling mills a very welcome addition will be made to the existing production capacity. I hope that with this activity, and with full co-operation from all concerned, We will be able to hold our position stable.”