METAL INDUSTRIES MAY CLOSE

Chronicle (Levin), 26 July 1947, Page 3

METAL INDUSTRIES MAY CLOSE

-Press Assodation

— DESPERATE SHORTAGE OF IEON AND STEEL.

By Telegrapfi

AUCKLAND EAST, July 25. t DespitvJ urgeut ropreseutations to the Goverument by the Auckland Manufacturers ' Association it appears that it will be the middle of Oetober at least ; before much reliof can be expected by tlie metal industries which are desper- . alely in need of pig iron for casting. j The Association is renewing requests iforaction. ! iieplying to the Association's representalious the Minister of Industries and Commerce said he had looked into j the position and found that 2850 tons ! of steel and steel products and 50 tons of eoke were eoining forward in the I vessel Salamaua due at Auckland toI morrow. Although 810 tons of pig iron ; were b-eing ghipped by the vessel Fort | CouJogne it was regretted that the ves,sel had been dclayed and would not 1 arrive until aliout the end of August. I Tlie vessel was also bringing further st-eel supplies. The matter of reopening the coke works at Westport was being examined, said the Minister. Commenting ou the Minister 's statement tlie seeretary of the Auckland Manufacturers' Association (Mr. J. B,. Don) said Auckland 's foundries would be in dir-e straits by the middle of next ! month. Tt would probably be the .middle : of Oetober before supplies from the Fort (Joulogne would actually be availalile for use, and till then production must cease with repercussions on employment and other industries.