THE EXPORT OF WHITE PINE TIMBER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 219, 4 June 1918, Page 6

THE EXPORT OF WHITE PINE TIMBER

Sir.—At Hie Farmers' Conference held at Alasterton last week one unseljish individual moved: "That, owing to jhe serious approaching shortaso of while Pino timber, tho Government be urged to control and conscript white pine forests with a view to protecting the butter and cheese industries." The mover further stated that if Australia had .voted lor conscription, no serious objection would be taken to exportation to that cowiwy. What sublime patriotism is this. Hie unique spectacle of tho Now Zealand farmer subordinating his own personal interests to the interests of Ms .fou»l:rv. Another member, however, probably Scotch, pointed out that Australia might retaliate by refusing supplies of hardwood, etc., to tliis country, Now, Sir, I would suggest that the Government be further urged to "control and conscript" the farmers' produce, butler and cheese, with, tho view in. particular of

lessening tho cost of living in tbis countrv, and discouraging the exploitation of tlio Imperinl authorities at Home Although the "poor farmers' enjoy pnyi. leges, and are granted concessions by the Government which are not available to any other industry, it would be quits un. fair to this spoon-fed class to compol them to rub along with one motor-car vv stead of two. As a matter of fact, the farmer ii; not so concerned with the future ofwhite pine supplies as with lye uresont; necessity to stop export, enabling him. to Ret ids butter boxes cheap, and this,, notwithstanding the huge prohts ne is making. Butter boxes (winch contain s(ilb. of butter) have risen sd. per box over pre-war rates, or an advance to' tho butter exporter of rather less than onetenth of a pennv to tho lb. of butter;: contrast this with the M. per lb. advance on butter over pre-war price. There are many'years' supplies of! whito nine still in the country, and liliei conservation or conscription of this liralier would be quite unnecessary; when supplies are exhausted and'the necessity arises, substitutes will be found.—l am., I etc., SAWDUST.