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Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1921, Page 2

In regard to the subject just- referred to, if we refer to past history, it is likewise very unfair to tack Westland or a large portion of it—on to the Greymonth Harbour Area. The Greymouth Harbour Board carried out its administration in its own wav, incurred very heavy monetary liabilities, and allowed tile Government to act as it thought best with the Board’s assets. Rich and affluent as it wa ! s in the past, Greymouth prospered oil the goodl times, hut now when evil times overshadow it, when revenue is declining, assets disappearing, and liabilities pressing, a move is made to secure additional rating area to Help pay these debts of the past. The old debt i s being funded, and will be beajied on the new district. There is no suggestion of differential rating. The ""'settler at Wailm will he called upon to pay a a much in the pound in rates, as the prospering merchant in the Quay in Greymouth, who has reaped the harvest of past, years by the lavish expenditure of the’ Greymouth Harbour Board. This is grossly inequitable, but it is the effect of the rush legislation which the Government pushed upon the people without a day for consideration. Tt was one of those partisan Acts of 11-•• Government similar to which tlii K district suffered already, and the authorities do not offer to make amends. The local bodies have agreed to watch the position. For the moment that is the best that can fie done perhaps. A protest lias been made without effect to the Government. There yet remains Parliament to he approached, and it is in that, direction the next move should l c nruh- tn seek fhe relief which fhe

fairness of the position points to. As Parliament will be meeting in a few short weeks, the organisation should be put into train so that those safeguarding public interests will be ready for any emergency.

Onk of the effects of the timber slump will be the economic loss in the nonutilisation of the whole of the timber from the felled trees. With trade active, export good and the demand generally widespread, great economic, use was being made of the trees. Pi icticallv the whole of the tree was used up. “Shorts” were saleable, and it was possible to thus use up a h’gh percentage of every tree felled. U ith the demand lessened, there is ft request for classification and only the 1 e'tei parts of the tree may he used. A large part of each tree will he left in the bush, and this loss is a serious one for less return in quantity means a higher price for the saleable quality. There is thus a double loss. This fact is being emphasised’ also in regard to the white pine trade with Australia, where a tariff wall is being set up which will shut out the inferior class of timber. This will be a total economic loss to this country, for the commodity will not he usable in the Domni'on nt all. As was mentioned at the Chunter of Commerce meeting the o*her evening, in the interests of the State it was most desirable Hint the whole product of the tree should be used. What is not saleable is a direct loss Iwth in production and in the earning power of the workmen. This waste will lie unavoidable if the tariff results in tlii” Australian market being Hosed to New Zealand, and the loss will fall first on the workman, then on the millowner, and finally on the country as a w hole. We have reason to believe that the authorities are specially seized of the position Ixith in regard to its economic effect

and Hu> result on the trade and industry. Tt is to bo hoped that from the representations lieing made a satisfactory adjustment of the position will result, ins these are the times for advancement and development, and not retrogression and stagnation.