EXPORT OF TIMBER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 273, 7 August 1918, Page 8

EXPORT OF TIMBER

RESTRICTING REGULATIONS SAWMILLING TO BE CONTROLLED Regulations imposing restrictions on the export of timber and providing, for tile control of the production nnd use of sawn timber were published in a Gazette Extraordinary last evening. They provide that for the assistance of the 51'in-ister-in-Chiii'go and the Hoard of- Trade in the exercise ol' the powers and authorities conferred by the regulations there may be appointee! an advisory committee, to lie known as the Timlier Industry Committee, which shall consist of such representatives of persons engaged in the 'business of sawmilling or of exporting timber from Xew Zealand, or in any business depending upon a supply of timber, as the Ministcr-in-Charge, on the recommendation '.if the Board of Trade, may from time to time appoint to hold office during his pleasure. Tlio owner or manager of every sawmill must, within twenty-eight days after the publication of the regulations in the Gazette, furnish, to the Board of Trade particulars as to the name and address of the owner of the. mill; the location of the mill; and the names, addresses, and businesses of all persons who; since .March 31. 1917, have obtained from the sawmill not less than 50,000 superficial leet of sawn timber. The Mims.'er-in-Chargo may from time to time determine, with respect to any sawmill, the minimum quantity o£ sawn timber of any kind or grade produced in that sawmill that may be required for use in New Zealand'in any period. Such quantity may be fixed either definitely as a specified amount of timber, or indefinitely as « fractional part of the output from the mill nf timber of the kind or grade referred to. 11l fixing, with respect to any sawmill or sawmills, the minimum quantity (if any) of sawn timber required to he reserved pursuant to these regulations for use in New Zealand, the Minister may have regard to the terms of any agreement between the owners of any sawmills that, in consideration of the terms of the agreement, the whole or any specified portion of the timber that may be refill ired for use in New Zenland from the mills owned by the parties to the agreement shall be produced in one or moro specified mills to the exclusion or partial exclusion of other specified mills. A breach of any such agreement, shall not constitute a ureach of these regulations, but on such breach being proved to the satisfaction of the Minister he shall forthwith adjust, in such manner as lie deems equitable, the quantities of timber to be reserved for use in New Zealand from the several sawmills affected by the agreement. After a police with respect to timber of any kind or grade has been given un ler tlio Inst preceding clause of these regulations with respect to any sawmill, it shall not be lawful for any person (whether-a sawmiller or not) to export sawn timber pf that kind or grade produced at that sawmill (whether before or after tliS delivery-of that notice)— (a) Except pursuant to a permit to

export such timber issued by a Collector of CiistoniG pursuant to the provisions of these regulations in that behalf; and

(b) Unless at the date of shipment tho minimum quantity of such timber as fixed for the period including the date of shipment and for all preceding periods has been disposed of by the sawuiiller or some other person for use in New Zealand at a price not exceeding einh maximum price (if any) as may for the time being be fned under the provisions in that behalf of the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act, 1914, or is re-

served for use in New /calami nnd is available for sale at such price, or unless security lias been given to the satisfaction of the llinisier that such minimum quantity will be so reserved as aforesaid.

livery person who proposes to export any timber after the commencement of this Order-in-Council shall apply to the Collector of Customs at the pori of shipment for a permit to export such timber, and shall furnish to the Collector—

(a) Particulars us to tho kind, and grado of timber proposed to be exported. (b) Particulars as to the sawmill at which the timber was produced, or, in cases where application for a permit is mado lelorc thu limber has

bee"t actually produced, pnrtictular-s as to the sawmill at which such timber is to be produced. (c.) Particulars as to tho minimum quantity (if any) of iimber of tho same kind or grade as the timber proposed to be exported, fixed with respect to the sawmill at which such timber wus or h to bo produced, for tho period comprising the date of shipment, and for nil preceding periods.

(d) A declaration under the Customs Act, 11)13, that the minimum quantity or minimum quantities so fixed have been,disposed of, or have been duly reserved for use in New Zealand, at ii price not exceeding iho maximum price (if any) for the time being fixed under the i'egulatiou of Trude and Commerce Act, 11)14, or tint security has been duly given to the satisfaction of the Minister-in-C'hnrge for (he reservation of such minimum ((uauiiry or minimum quantities as aforesaid; and (e) Such other particulars as may l>o required to satisfy the Collector that the timber proposed to be exported may be lawfully exported pursuant to ihese regulations.

On any application for the issue of a permit under this regulation the Collector, of Customs shall issue, the same if he is of opinion that Hid provisions of tho regulations have been complied with, and not otherwise.

Every person currying ou business us a sawuiiller or as, «n exporter of sawn timber for (ho purpo.-e.-s of any,business carried on by him, shall ironi time to time lnalio to tho Miiiister-in-Charge, or to the Hoard of Trade, such returns tus to his business as the Minister or Hoard of Trade may from time to iiine require for the purposes of this Order-in-Council, such returns t<> be verified by statutory declaration, if and su far as the Minister or the board so requires.

Without limiting the generalily of iho provisions of the regulation, the ilinister or the Hoard of Trade may require any sawmiller or exporter of sawn timber, or any person requiring supplies of sawn timber, for the purpobcs of his business, to furnish returns as to his business for any period subsequent to March 31, 1915.

The lliniiitcr-in-Charge may from time to time, by notice in the Gazette, exempt any kind or grade of timber from tho operation of the. regulations, and may in like manner revoke any such notice.

llvsry person shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable under the War Mediations Act, 19H, accordingly, who fails to mnko any return or to furnish any particulars required from him pursuant to these regulations; makes any such return which is i'nlse in any, respect; or makes liny false representation for the purpose of obtaining a permit under these- regulations.