DENIAL OF DEBT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20002, 29 July 1939, Page 14

DENIAL OF DEBT

STATE STEEL SUPPLIES AUSTRALIAN CONCERN ORDERS FULFILLED PROVISION OF CREDITS (Pin- Pross Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. As a result cf a statement made in the House cl Representatives yesterday the; the Now Zealand -Government was indebted 'to the Broken Hill Proprietary to the extent of £IOO,OOO. and the company had refused to supply further steel to New Zealand until the payment for material supplied was assured, .the Deputy-Leader of the House, the Hon. P. Fraser, said he had been informed by the Minister of Public Work's, the ITcn. R. Semple, that insofar as the Public Works Department was concerned, there was absolutely nothing owing to the company for steel supplied. It was true the department had large commitments to the company for future supplies, Ibu-t p'ayment was not required until delivery was made, and delivery was not called for until certain Specified distant dates.

Insofar as the company itself .was concerned, 'Mr. Fraser added, it had fulfilled and agreed to fulfil all outstanding orders placed in the first sixmonthly period covered by the import restrictions, but it asked that before the orders lodged during the second

six-monthly period were fulfilled, credit should first be arranged. Subject to this condition, the Broken 'Hill Proprietary would supply all New Zealand order's lodged with it. It was authoritivcly stated, raid Mr. Fi J aser. that the recent press statement made in regard to the refusal of steel companies to supply steel in fulfilment of New Zealand orders did not emanate from the Broken Hill Proprietary. but from some other sources, and did net represent the company’s aft itude. The House rose at 4.55 p.m. until 2.30 non. on Tuesday.