NEW ZEALAND IRON SAND AND ORES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2139, 4 May 1914, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND IRON SAND AND ORES.

Sir,-Your _ Sheffield correspondent, Mr. 0. H. Whithorn, opens tip that perpetual subject, namely, •"The New Zealand Iron Industry," It seems probable i that- another attempt will be made to induce the Gevermmmt to grant a subsidy to some company desirous of exploiting tho,community. From the remarks of your correspondent be docs not seem satisfied why the people of the Dominion fight shy of these exploiters. It will be remembered that en Mr. Massoy attaining office, a committee of the House of Representatives Was set up to make inquiries oil this subject. Well, I was oivo-wlro offered some evidence, though the committee had not. much hme, with the result that they had no' recommendation to make. 1 promised \ the chairman of that committee (Mr- I Malcolm) that it was possible that I could get- some information on the subject. I did so, and I informed the Minister of Public Works of the results of! my questions that I .sent to a friend in •Scotland, who is manager ef a blast furnace company. We'll, the Minister either was too Gflsy or he may have forgotten all about it. I still bare the information which tho Minister can have if he wishes it.

Again, it will be remembered tbat during the last session, certain steps. were taken _to investigate this matter further. _ The Government sent three experts, it was said at the tiwo, to furnish' a report, The Government may Siav© that report though the. people are not att-aro of what it contains, I venture to say that H can only bo a subsidiary report, as none of the three pentlemen who were named could have "bad any training in this partimtlar industry. It is a fact that the iron deposits of the world, are. rapidly .being used up. Now Zealand can afford to wait a tew y*a*s before venturing into this business. As tilings stand, at present it mM only lis another white elephant ~ \ am, eta,,

t THOS. M. MILLIGAN, April 27, 1914.