VICKERS’ OFFER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4775, 12 November 1924, Page 1

VICKERS’ OFFER.

MAKING ARMOUR PLATE. WHAT SIR KEITH SMITH SAYS. j. he mauufaccuie oi armour plate ana shells at Wewcastle is more tnau a possibility. Sir Keith Smith, general supervisor tor Australia tor VicKers, Ltd., oi hhiglami, referring to the announcement maue by Mr Essington Lewis, general manager for the Broaen. Hill Proprietary, Ltd., that ,an offer had been matte by Vickers, Ltd., to associate with the object of manufacturing armour plate and shells in Australia, said recently that he was to visit Newcastle in connection with the matter. "1 expect that an agreement will be completed by the end of the week,” lie said. Sir Keith pointed out that the present agreement did not include the manufacture'’ of armour plate, but there was little doubt .that the casting of armour plate, gun titeel, and the making of shells would be seriously considered in the near future. Vickers had decided to take a practical interest in the local production of Newcastle, and it would mean a big thing for Australia. The Commonwealth Steel Works Products Co., he remarked, had a line plant, and its present production included axles and castings for railways. Vickers would take a part interest in the Newcastle firm, and the B. H. C. would supply the steel. There was no demand tor armour plate at present, he added, and its production was very expensive, but if Australia was to build its own warships he agreed with the Minister for Customs that building ships did trot mean assembling them. “I also fervently agree with Mr Pratten,” Sir Keitli Smith concluded, “.that we would never get far if we stopped at establishing • assembly yards for putting warships together from Imported material.” INTEREST IN NEWCASTLE. Much Interest has bene aroused at Newcastle by the announcement regarding Vickers, Ltd.’s activities, and Mr W E. Clegg, president of the branch of the Chamber of Manufacturers, and general manager of Commonwealth Steel Products, Ltd., stated that no firm in the world had longer or greater experience than Vickers, Ltd., and no firm in Australia was in a better position to undertake the manufacture of shells and armour pl.ate than the B.H.P. Co. It would, he added, be a great step towards making Australia self-support-ing.

Speaking in regard to the agreement to enable Vickers’ Ltd., to take a direct interest in Commonwealth Steel Products, Ltd., Mr Clegg said that it would be completed this month. It was not anticipated that the present lines of manufacture would be increased immediately, but they would have the benefit of Vickers. Ltd.’s experience in the making of railway tyres, wheels, and axles. It was quite possible that an exchange of technical men would be made between Waratah and Sheffield. The company had already ordered additional plant.