CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1921, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.) Dear Sir,—Permit me to point out that in your sub-leader of yesterday, dealing with “The Forestry Department,” you are in error in supposing that the recently gazetted regulations making it necessary for ‘timber merchants to obtain licenses, have emanated from tlie Forestry Department. For your information I herewith enclose a copy of the Ordec-in-Counril with a covering circular issued by the Board of Trade. From these you will see that the regulations are made under the “Board of Trade Act 1919” and that the Department of Industries and Commerce is the responsible department.

Your informant is also evidently wrong in imputing that it is sought to impose any restrictive influence upon the production of timlier, or upon its distribution to the public. The regulations are chiefly in the interests of the users of timber; and beyond fixing maximum prices (not seeking to increase prices as your article seems to suggest), they seek to confine the trade to those legitimately engaged therein, and in whose hands the community’s interests are best served. It should he explained that when the Board of Trade control over the Timber Trade in 1918, maximum prices were agreed upon between the Sawmillers’ Federation and the Board in respect to wholesale prices, and between the Timber Merchants’ Federation and tlie Board in respect to retail prices. Far from seeking to impose any restrictive measures on the industry, the Board accepted an undertaking from the representatives of the above-men-tioned Federations that tlie prices agreed upon would not be exceeded. The necessity for the regulations in question was owing to a grave breach, by some of the less responsible members of the trade, of the undertaking which had been entered into with the Board.

Tim regulations were made largely at the request, and certainly with the approval. of the above-mentioned Federations, to whom they were submitted lielore being placed before Cabinet. On the question of the desirability of having our industries under reasonable control, one should b<» able to form very definite conclusions in view of the present chaotic state of the coal industry in Great Britain following the recent de-eonrol. Knowing that your strictures are largely the outcome of your zeal for the welfare of our industries and commerce, 1 venture to bring under your notice a, serious menace that looms over the prosperity of this district. The fact that its seriousness is disregarded by many of those whose interests would he affected, will not in the slightest degree soften the blow when it falls, f refer to the possible removal of the import duty on Oregon timber, and the “dumping” of lower grade Oregon on the Dominion markets. ' There are not wanting signs 'that this “dumping” is

now taking place. ft is well, at this time, to recall the strenuous conditions prevailing in the Timber Trade in 1907 which were largely owing to the flooding of our markets with a class of imported timber that rendered it impossible for the local miller to market any but the highest qualities. ~

Paradoxical as it may seem those conditions were more conducive to a greater destruction of our native forests than if such importations bad been impossible, because they necessitated the waste and destruction, either in the bush or at tlie slab-lire, of practically all but the exclusively superior grades. It is scarcely necessary to point out how seriously such a condition of alfairs would affect local bodies in the matter of royalties. “There were a. danger should rutile

up your spirits!” The Sawmillers’ Federation is making representations to the Tariff Commission (now sitting) on the subject and are receiving valuable assistance from tin l Forestry Department in this connection.

Speaking further of this department, it is gratifying to be able to record that, in a circular recently -sent through the Federation, the Director of Forestry intimates to sawmillers generally that lie wishes them to make use of the services of the newly appointed officers of the department when ever possible in matters connected with the advancement of the. timber industry. Also lie wishes it known that the newly appointed forest engineer lias commenced work on the problems of better utilization of forest products; and any problem confronting any sawmiller in the working of his forest products should be brought lorward and submitted to this special officer for bis investigation. To those who are daily confronted with such problems the value of any siub assistance will be only too apparent. Yours faithfully, \Y. J. BUTLER. Hokitika. April 12th. [The following was the message on which our remarks were based in regard to the matter under discussion. — Ed. “G.” | TIMBER REGULATIONS. DUNEDIN, April 5.

Tlie “New Zealand Gazette” regula • lions for the control of the timber industry, as contained in the Order-in-Council, are not viewed! favourably by some local timber merchants. They are regarded ns unnecessary, vexatious, and calculated to increase the cost of timber. One merchant characterised the proposal to license timber meielmiits as absurd. “What possible good can such a proposal accomplish? he said. “It has been proved in the past tliat this sort of interference does no good. It adds to the cost of commodities, and possibly only keeps some-

body in a Government job. It is about tints the business concerns of the Dominions were freed from interference by people who know nothing of the various industries or the difficulties of carrying on under present conditions, ff it served, any useful purpose, exception would not be taken, but when it simply means increasing costs and performing unnecessary work, the whole business is worse, than ridiculous. After licensing timber merchants it will be interesting to see what and who will come under red tape next.”