IRON PRODUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1938, Page 6

IRON PRODUCTION

THE ONEKAKA DEPOSITS FULL TESTS TO DETERMINE QUANTITY ASURANCE BY MINISTER (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The determination of the Government to make full and complete investigations before proceeding with the development of the iron deposits at Onekaka was stressed by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon D. G. Sullivan, during consideration of the Estimates in the House of Representatives yesterday. Information concerning the present position at Onekaka was sought by Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition, Vvaitomo), who )said there appeared to be some doubt as to the quantities of ore available. The question of the adequacy of supplies was of tremendous importance. The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Adam Hamilton, said it was wise to lake all precautions and make all necessary investigations before embarking definitely on a project involving the expenditure of at least £5,000,000. “After the Bill was passed earlier this year,” said Mr Sullivan, “I informed the officers of my department that full and complete tests would have to be carried out. We had reports that in all probability the deposits amounted to 100,000,000 tons of iron ore, but we decided to make tests for ourselves before entering into commitments of any kind. “It seems that the original estimates were based almost entirely on surface indications,” the Minister continued. “We set to work to make investigations by tunnelling and boring, and since the passing of the Bill eight times more prospecting work has been carried out than-was done during the previous 50 years. It is too early yet to draw definite conclusions from the investigations, but it seems pretty certain that the original quantities of ore were altogether excessive.” Mr Broadfoot: “The quantities can be much less and still production would be quite feasible.” “That is so,” said Mr Sullivan,. “If there were 50,000,000 tons of ore we would still be quite well off and nothing would prevent us from going ahead Even if it was only 20,000,000 tons, tnere would be sufficient to meet the requirements of the Dominion for the next 60 years. “It will probably be next April or May before we get a reliable indication of the true position,” the Minister added. “We are continuing our investigations and in the meantime we are not Touching the capital provided for in the Act. The £5,000,000 will remain intact until we are sure we can go ahead. The Leader of the Opposition: “You have not raised the £5,000,000 yet? Mr ' Sullivan: “No. Expenditure to date has been from the Employment Promotion Fund.” ... To another question the Minister said no machinery had yet been ordered or commitments entered into.