INTENTION GOOD BUT SCHEME IMPRACTICABLE

Chronicle (Levin), 10 August 1946, Page 5

INTENTION GOOD BUT SCHEME IMPRACTICABLE

-Press Association

Bv Telearavh—

NEW PLYMOFTii, Aug. 9. Because of the shortage of largt timber workings, timber operators 111 the centrai Ixing County consider very fevv mills in tlie district will be able to take advantage of the timber industry accommodation 'iinprovement scheiriv announced by the Commissioner or State Forests, Ilon. C. F. Skiuner. It was an ecotomie inipossibilitv for operators to construct a bush cainp unless the timber in the area would lasi for some years, said one operator, anu he doubted that many inill owners would be in the position to take advaniage of the scheme. Allocations of State forests made by tlie Governnient wero so small that t tio life of a camp was only about 12 months, said another mill official. The Governmeut was only playing rourni with the problem. lie did not rlouin that the intention was good, but tne crux of the labour shortage lav in tne refusal of yonng men to work in tm* bush. VVhile improvements in accommodation would be verv aceeplable 10 the men at present 011 the job, it couiu have only a minor infiuence on the overall position. One of the greatest proolems faciug operators in their efl'orts 10 attract niarried men to bush camps, was that of arranging schooling for tlie children. It was impossible to provide schools at all Ihe smaller camps. In his district, bushmen's families weim living at Jlie mill so that tlie children | eould attend school. These famihes were taking up accommodation timi eould othenvise be used i'or marrieo mill liauds.