SHORTAGE OF IRON

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1940, Page 12

SHORTAGE OF IRON

By Telegraph―Press Association.

ONEKAKA USE UNLIKELY

Christchurch, Sept. 25. The reopening of the existing works at Onekaka for the production of pig uon is not now considered likely. When the shortag of pig iron was acute, the possibility of placing the Onekaka works into production was considered. The latest report is that the Government believes that the market for pig iron could be met best by importing sufficient from Australia to build up a stock of 1000 tons. To reopen the Onekaka mill an expenditure of £12,000 would be neeessary, it is reported. That amoum represents the value of the importation of 2000 tons of pig iron. The reopening of Onekaka was discussed with Christchurch ironmasters by Mr. G. A. Pascoe, the Factory Controller, who, until the development proposals were suspended, was commissioner for the iron and steel industry which was to have been developed at Onekaka. His statements at the meeting are reported to have left the impression that the manufacture of iron "at Onekaka is unlikely to be proceeded with. As with other raw materials, the engineering industry is having difflculty in obtaining supplies of pig iron, the shortage being mostly felt in certain grades neeessary to fill the particular orders of some foundries. Although • a "hand to mouth" policy of supply is effective now, the situation is easier than it was in April, when the coal strike in Australia resulted in large quantities of pig ordered for New Zealand being undelivered. The whole question of supplies was discussed by the foundry representatives with Mr. Pascoe. The suggestion that a special type of furnace at Woburn railway workshops should be used for the conversion of scrap steel into pig iron was ventilated, but the report is that difficulties in the utilisation of the plant were explained and, also, that whether a quantity of scrap to warrant the undertaking in New Zealand was available was questioned.