THE ENGINEERING TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 100, 5 August 1910, Page 5

THE ENGINEERING TRADE.

REQUEST FOR FURTHER BOLSTERING. Br Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Thursday. iA deputation representing the New Zealand ironmasters waited upon the Minister of Customs to-day and put before him certain matters affecting the industry. The chief subject brought under the Minister's notice was that the Waihi Paeroa Gold Extraction Cornpay, which is applying to Government for a loan of £30,000, has accepted a tender for sixteen tube machines from an English firm which, under the present tariff, they can import free. The deputation contended that if Government lent New Zealand money it was only reasonable to ask that the money should, as far as possible, be spent in New Zealand. It was mentioned that the tenders of manufacturers in New Zealand were only slightly in excess of the lowest English tender. The Minister, in replying to these and other representations, said that any proposal to revise the tariff opened up a big question. When the tariff was passed Government was criticised severely for the steps it had taken in the interests of the engineering trade. He agreed with the deputation that if a company was going to receive a considerable sum of money from Government such company ought to give consideration to local industries. He promised to bring the matter before the Minister of Finance.