THE IRON TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 43, 31 May 1910, Page 5

THE IRON TRADE.

IX A BAD WAY. MINISTER PROMISES""3TTEXTIOX. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. A deputation representing engineers and iron founders waited upon tin; Hon. 1 Mr. Millar, ■chiefly with regard to the duty on parts of dredging miu-'liine-y. j Mr. Gillies' said the trade was stagnant at present, and 110 Arm was employ- 1 ing more than 50 per cent of the men it employed a few years ago. l lhey thought Mr. Millar, as Minister of Rnil-j ways, might do much in connection with the letting of Government railway contracts. riiey thought, in reference to this matter, there s'hould be a stipula-j tion that anything that could lie manufactured in the Dominion should be so manufactured. He went, on >o make special reference to the importation of manganese pins, and urged that facilities should 'be afforded local manufacturers to participate in Government railway contracts. Mr. Millar said he would make representations to the Hon. Mr. Fowlds, and put the matter before him. Different officers placed different interpretations upon the matter, and it would be well to endeavor to get uniformity. The intention had ibeen to keep as much work as possible in the country for the people. As to the second point, he was not aware that the Government got anything at all from the Home country, because, as they knew, the Government manufactured pretty well on its own. Instructions had been given to the Department that nothing should be sent out of the country that could be made in it, with the exception of boiler flanges. He did not know of anything for the Railway Department that was manufactured away. Of course, tenders for supplies were always included in the Public Works schedule. If there were anything coming in from outside it would soon ibe put a stop to. Tf the deputation supplied him with a list of tiling* that could be manufactured here, he would give them his ; attention.