STEEL CAPITALISTS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1929, Page 2

STEEL CAPITALISTS

WANT MORE STATE AID,

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, February 22

In reply to u request from the Iron ami Steel. Trades Confederation for a Commission of Inquiry into the conditions of their industry, the Prime Miister, Mr 'Baldwin, while expressing sympathy with their difficulties, says that lie thinks sueli an inquiry would not he helpful to the industry. He. points out that the Comniitteo of Industry and Trade is now sitting under the chairmanship of Sir Arthur Balfour and it has already presented a detailed report on the

iron and steel industry, and Mr Baldwin says that it is obviously utrneeessary that an inquiry should traverse the ground again so recently covered by Hie Balfour Committee. Moreover in framing it national reform scheme tho Government had paid particular attention to the needs of iron and steel, and tlie reliefs being given under that sefifeme, both from the viewpoint of thfcfrates and of the railway freights, arj&designed and calculated to be of special benefit to tin’s particular industry. It is the policy of the Conservative. Government, if returned to power, lie says, to allow the iron and steel industry Jo.make an application under the of Industries procedure. It will then have an opportunity of stating its case before an independent tribunal. The Executive • of; .tho Confederation, in -reply have expressed disappointment at the Prime Minister’s decision. They say that tho course suggested by the .Prime Minister would involve an unnecessary delay,

and, as it would he dependent on the General Election, it would introduce / an element of political controversy. They add that the. Balfour .Committee’s general surfey. would not bo sufficiently complete as the executive hope that the Prime Minister may find it possible, on reconsideration, to set up the committee which they have proposed.