TIMBER BOARD BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 226, 24 September 1929, Page 8

TIMBER BOARD BILL.

STRONG OPPOSITION.

FROM N.Z. MERCHANTS

"TOO MANY CIVIL SERVANTS."

Tho Timber Industrial Efficiency Bill now before Parliament, the ostensible object of which is to lift the sawmilling industry out of the slump in which it has been vegetating for so long, is strongly condemned by the timber merchants, as distinct from sawmillers, who, according to advice from Wellington, are unanimous in their support. In the forefront of'the opposition stands the New Zealand Timber Merchants' Federation, which represents both islands, and is a very strong body indeed.

For the first time since its formation the federation is this year holding its annual meeting in Auckland, and on October 16 next will here discuss the bill. Already the federation has pronounced against the formation of a board to control the industry. Speaking this morning to a "Star" reporter, Mr. A. E. Odlin, of Messrs. C. and A. Odlin, timber merchants, of Auckland and Wellington, said he was afraid that if a board were formed it would simply mean a repetition of the Dairy Control Board and the Meat Control Board. The bill would simply create a new department and add to the number of Civil servants, whereas what the country needed to do was to reduce the number. There were too many people in New Zealand dependent on the State for their livelihood. "Public Will Pay." As a merchant, Mr. Odlin said he could without much difficulty or inconvenience adapt his business to the new style proposed in the bill, but the public would have to pay; the extra expenses must be passed on. As far as he could see the bill would barely-make jobs for a few more men in the way of inspectors and other officials. The thing would add to the cost of timber, and ho felt sure would not be as effective as the promoters thought it would. Anyhow, continued Mr. Odlin, if any reorganisation of the industry was necessary he thought it could be brought about by the trade and the Department of Industries and Commerce. He saw no necessity for creating a brand new department, as the bill proposed. He did not think Government interference with the industry would lead to any "ood, and recalled the farce of the Board of Trade's "control" of the trade during the War period. Competition Wholesome. The main thing was for the millers to wet down the cost of production, and he felt sure that could be done without the formation of an unwieldy _ board, such as was proposed in the bill. Mr. Odlin thought the competition of the imported timber, about which so much was heard, had done more to make the industry more efficient than any Government committee could hope to achieve. A little natural competition was good for an industry, and kept everyone up to date. He instanced a mill in the South Auckland district which started off scratch, and by efficient management and working, and mutual understanding between owners and the men, had paid "from the jump," and showed what could be done if the industry was run on the right lines. One thing that had Mr. Odlin's cordial support was the new system of grading that it was proposed to bring into force. He said Auckland practically worked according to the grades and classes where affected, but he thought the general adoption and recognition of the new system of names would be all to the good. Wide Powers Proposed. At the same time he did not think it necessary to put the country to the expense of setting up a new department merely to bring into force the new grading system and other necessary reforms. That the proposed board would have very wide powers was shown by Mr.' Odlin when he quoted the following precis issued by the federation: —"(a) Make such arrangements and give such directions as it thinks proper to ensure greater efficiency in the milling and marketing of timber, (b) Appoint such inspectors, experts and other officers as it may deem necessary and prescribe their powers and functions, (c) Inspector may enter and inspect sawmills, tram, bush, timber, etc (d.) Inspector may examine books and records, (e) Without limiting powers of board, the following are named as matters in which board shall have full authority to make such arrangements and give such directions as it thinks proper:—Uniform grading, uniform costing system, collection and distribution of information, investigation to eliminate waste, finance for millers, exhibitions and advertising, cooperation with other branches of timber industry to secure efficiency and 'general.' (f) The board may borrow money and give security in debentures or other securities on its assets*" ;i