A MEASURE OF RELIEF

Evening Star, Issue 19662, 15 September 1927, Page 4

A MEASURE OF RELIEF

TIMBER INDUSTRY [Special to the ’Stab.’] WELLINGTON, September 1-1. “ Tho effect of the new tariff on tlic timber industry will not be apparent I'o some time owing to tbo accumulation of slocks of lowor-grado timbers and tli© prevailing trade depression,” said Mr A. Seed, secretary of the Dominion Saw-millers’ federation, to-day, However, tho Government is to bo congratulated upon manifesting a sincere desire to giro some measure of protection to tho saw-milling industry. Though the increase in tho duty is scarcely as much as we hoped for, it nevertheless will bo extremely acceptable to saw-millers throughout New Zealand, and should put them in a, somewhat better position to meet foreign competition. Tho actual increase of 3s per 100 super feet on rough sawn timber is scarcely equivalent to the increased costs which the local industry has had to bear in recent .years though the rise in railway freights and tho additional Government royalty charges. Since 1917 the average increase in railway freights on timber lias been about 2s per 100 super feet, and the average increase in royalties has been equivalent to about Is (id per 100 super feet. The tariff, therefore, really places millers in the same position as they held competitively with imported timbers prior to 1917. Tho additional 2s Cd per 100 super feet on dressed timbers should certainly fend to diminish importations and should help to provide greater employment for New Zealand timber workers. Similarly, tho lower duty on limbers imported in largo sixes will tend to increase the importation of this class of timber, and provide belter employment for City timber workers in cutting these balk timbers into ordinary commercial sizes, though whether this is going to bo of much assistance to tho saw-millers remains to bo seen.”