THE IRON INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 76, 20 September 1911, Page 4

THE IRON INDUSTRY

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A large deputation, representing th« employers and employees in the New Zealand iron industry, waited on th» Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) and the Minister of Customs (the Hon. R. McKcnzie) this evening, asking for tariff protection to the extent of 33 1-3 per cent. duty. Mr, D. McLaren, M.P., who introduced the deputation, remarked that last year a similar deputation was informed that a report would be presented by a Government ollicial, showing the condition of the industry, but this had' not been published. '..Mr. Sullivan, president of the Canterbury Trades Council, said the Trades Councils throughout the Dominion were unanimous in desiring 33 1-3 per cent. duty on imported ironwork. There had been a rapid diminution in local employment, while imports had gone up to u million sterling per annum. !Mr. ,T. B. Laurenson said the trade only wnntcd duty for machinery whichcould be made in New Zealand. The caipital invested in the industry was .€(563,000. The Govcernment colleoted in duty only 4.43 per cent, of the value of imported machiney, while Canada collected 15.81 per cent. Mr. Young, secretary of the Federation of Labor, said the ironmasters would consent to a Board being set up to see that, if given reasonable protection, manufacturers would not unduly charge purchasers. Mr. D. Robertson, Wellington, said protection was needed to save the Industry from collapse. In reply the Prime .Minister said that tariff revision could not be undertaken this session. However, he hoped this session to introduce legislation making provision in connection with the latent resources of New Zealand. He had at the present moment an offer to establish the iron industry in this country. It required £500,000. In the opinion of those who knew, the term of years was longer than the Government was prepared to hand over an important industry of the kind to anyone for.' It was estimated that £000,090 would he necessary to have an up-to-date scientific plant to enable everything we required to be manufactured in New Zealand in the shape of iron and steel. Tho legislation he proposed to ask Parliament to pass was to give either power for private people to carry out the undertaking for a limited number of years, with the right of acquisition by the Government, or for the Government to nationalise the industry and provide its own works. He was favorable to nationalising our iron resources. He had always been, but he had to' consider whether the Government could as quickly bring the scheme into operation a* s private concern could if the Government stood aside for ten years. If this great industry was started" in conjunction with the natural stores of water-power to be controlled by the State, it would give New Zealand the strongest position in the world as a manufacturing country. (More long the Government would appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the cost of living. He was prepared to include in its scope an enquiry into the cause of the troubles of the iron industry and other industries of New Zealand. He had no hesitation in saying that if the tariff could be readjusted on scientific lines it would enable many things on the deputation's list to be made in New Zealand. Already the Government had, by way of a bonus equal to the amount of freight, endeavored to assist the oil industry, and a certain amount of reciprocity was expected from that industry. Every conntry was bound to have a certain number of its people going away, but it was desirable to provide all possible opportunities at home. The Government now, for the first time, knew what was wanted hy the iron trade. Mr. Visiter suggested that it might be. possible to pass amendments this session which would deal with the engineering industry alone. The Prime Minister replied that even if the leaders of the House agreed, nothing could provent members making representations on behalf of other Industries. Mr. Poole: "They are asking already." ! Hon. R. McKenzie: "The town versus country issue would be raised at once." Mr. McLaren asked if the Government (■fluid prohibit local bodies purchasing imported ironwork out of loan monies. Sir Joseph Ward replied that the only remedy was to return men to local bodies pledged to the proper course. The country would not tolerate legislation of a coercive character. Mr. Robertson: You will be back here after the elections, ,1 know. (Laughter.) Will you promise to do something then? Sir Joseph: I will have a revision of the tariff next session, and I will be back all right to carry it out. (Applause.)