THE IRON INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 189, 19 November 1910, Page 5

THE IRON INDUSTRY

THE IRONMASTERS' DEMAND. By Telegrapn.—iress Asoociation. Wellington, November 18. Messrs. J. B. Laurenson and Fraser (representing the ironmasters), A. Jones (Christchurch Moulders), F. Fail (Duneedin Boilermakers), and W. fi. D. Evans (general secretary of AmalgaI mated Society of Engineers) waited on the acting-Minister of Customs, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, to-night, asking for tariff protection for the iron industry. They said that during the time in which 1,500,000 acres of land had gone into cultivation only three additional workmen were engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements. New Zealand had imported £4,500,000 worth of machinery in five years, half of which could have been made in the Dominion had a 33 per cent, duty prevailed, and employment could have been given to 1600 more trained workmen than could now be engaged. In the list of machinery proposed to be protected! reapers and binders did not appear, because it was realised it was impossible to produce them at £lO each, as was done in America.

The workers' representatives said they were satisfied it was not intended to increase the cost of products to the consumer, nor were they trying to increase their wages. Some of the best Otago workers had scarcely worked six months in the year. The Minister, in reply, said that a new departure in policy was being urged. Mining and agricultural machinery had for years been imported free of duty, and it would be necessary to prove to the farmer that in the long run lie would benefit from the protection of the iron industry. Certain industries were natural to a country, and could with advantage be developed under protection, as the woollen manufacture liad demonstrated. He was not in a position to speak with equal confidence as to the success of the bootmaking industry under protection. He did not think bad trade would continue even in the iron industry. A careful view of competing ■countries justified him in saying that two such dull years as had just been experienced would not be repeated for a long time. He would lay the deputation's request before the Government, and during the recess would endeavor, through the Industries and Commerce Department, to get as much information as possible on the subject. If he could assist in the development of an important industry he would be only to glad to do so.