THE TIMBER TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1921, Page 1

THE TIMBER TRADE

MEETING OF MILLERS

(.Grey “Argus.”)

Yesterday, a big meeting of the millowners of the West Coast was held in Grejmouth at the office of Messrs AI. .1 Fogarty and Co., the office of the Hokitika-Greymouth Sawmillers’ Association, to consider the best solution for the existing depression in the West Coast timber trade. There were no fewer than 48 mill - owners represented. There was a. lengthy discussion. It

was pointed out that in order to restore the confidence of the timber merchants in the other parts of the Dominion, it would be necessary tor the millers to present on the West Coast a united front, and thus steady the market. At the present time the timber dealers were uncertain of the market, and were afraid to buy except in small quantities from time to time. Generally the opinion of the meeting favoured a- pooling of orders among the whole of the mills as the only means to secure a united stand being made to keep the market in a sound, steady condition. It 'was considered that the orders should be distributed

! among all the mills according to their j capacity or the number of men employed. , The pooling was finally decided on. ! This of course, means that the mills ; generally will be unable to work full time. The pooling plan, however will distribute the burden of short time, though the smaller mill-owners will be bound to feel the effect most, as their resources are so much the less. Tim

aim is for the mills to keep going as long as possible as heretofore, in anticipation of a probable early recovery of the stabilty of the Dominion market. The meeting appointed the following gentlemen as a committee to act for the West Const trade during the present state of things:—Messrs W. Butler (Buatapu), Berham (TIo Ho mill' Caldwell (Pine Coy.), D. Tennent (Grevmouth), Smith (Lake Brunner), J. .Jack (Kotuku), and T. .Tones (Greymouth 1 ). Tt was considered that the committee needed to be representative of all parts of the Coast. lu order to ensure the efficiency of the committee and a proper understanding of ilie position at all times

among all millers, it was ordered that every member of the committee must either attend, every meeting, or send a delegate from his locality for every meeting. Mr ,T. Caldwell was deputed to prepare n report of the meeting for the Press which will doubtless be available later on.