STATE IRONWORKS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1358, 8 February 1912, Page 6

STATE IRONWORKS.

« NEW SOBTE WALES SCHEME. The New South Wales Government is moving in the direction of establishing State ironworks. At a. Cabinet meeting on January 25 the Minister for Works (Mr. Griffith) was authorised to proceed with the preparation of a Bill empowering the Governraont to establish State ironworks, either by the purchase of works now in operation or by laying down a plant in some, suitable locality. Xo details were made available. Mr. Griffith said the Bill would be submitted to Parliament immediately the session was resumed next mouth, and the Government scheme would then be declared. Some members of the ITouso consider (says the "Sydney Herald") that (he action of the Government is dictated by tiie existence of the strike at Lithsow. Some time ago Uic unionists decided to approach the I'cdoral Government with a request that tho bounty paid on manufactured iron should be slopped, presumably until such time a.s tho Lithgow work? resume upon tho conditions sought by the unions. However, the Labour Ministry is on safe grounds in making its proposal as far os tho Labour Conference is concerned, because the nationalisation of tho iron industry has always been advocated V the Labour delegates. At the present time a combination of circumstances makes the step taken by (lie Cabinet an extremely popular one from the Labour standpoint, though it is expected lo meet with strong; opposition in otlicr quarters.