THE WORLD’S TIN

Evening Star, Issue 19798, 23 February 1928, Page 2

THE WORLD’S TIN

RESERVES BEING USED UP CONSUMPTION 1 NCR EASING. RUGBY, February 21. Lord Askwith, who has held many important posts in connection, with the Board of Trade, made an interesting statement on the world’s tin supply at the Colonial Institute. Ho pointed nut that tho world produces yearly 3 SO,OOU tons of tin, half of which is consumed in America. While it is admitted that the world’s supplies cannot bo appreciably increased, the world’s reserves are being used up. The consumption of tin by tho canning industry has nearly trebled in five years, and the motor industry has more than doubled its consumption of tin in live years. Lord Askwith urged tho need of conserving the tin supplies, the greater part of which come from the British Empire, either by the merging or trustification of tin companies or by co-operative selling. Ho expressed the opinion that some method of conservation would be found. CONSERVATION URGED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 21. The ‘Financial News,’ commenting on Lord Askwith’s statement, says that it is hardly in accordance with tho views of several prominent leaders of tho industry. There is no doubt, however, that any practicable plan of conservation will receive the support of all those interested in a great vital industry. THE EMPIRE’S POSITION. LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 1.30 a,in,') “ By means of Imperial preference, fho Empire obtained virtual control over 80 per cent, of the world’s tin," said Lord Askwith, in an address before the Royal Colonial Institute. He said that probably within twenty or thirty years tin would he almost as expensive ns silver or gold. There was urgent need for some method to he evolved for conserving the supplies within the Empire, which produced 42 per cent, of the total world output. Some form of merging and trustification of all existing British tin producing companies might bring about Empire conservation | on the other hand, co-operative selling might achieve the desired end. The world supplies ware most limited, yet we were using nearly 150,000 tons" per annum from irreplacablo reserves. “ From information in my possession,” said Lord Askwith, “ I have no doubt that a method will be found in the near future which will consolidate all tho Empire producers, and afigrl them more closely with the major consuming interests.”