TIMBER TARIFF.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1922, Page 3

TIMBER TARIFF.

PREFERENCE TO CANADA, j URGENT NEED FOR REMEDY. WELLINGTON, Nov. 29 Some correspondence has been passing between Mr A. Seed, secretary of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers Association, of Wellington, and the Queensland Timber Pro!uction League. ,t similar body, upon the subject of tariff protection, particularly in its relation to the importation cl timber from Canada, America, Scandinavia, and other foreign countries. Mr Seed Iris also received copies of letters sent l,v the Queensland League to the Tariff Hoard in Melbourne, and circular sent to all members of the Federal Parliament and Ministers, together with the resolution passed by | the Queensland League protesting i against the* delay ill protecting these I important national interests by the failure to increase the Customs duties i on foreign timber, and also strongly j objecting to the adoption of any reciprocal tariff arrangements under whieh the present duties on timber and p’ywoads, coming into Australia from ' atteda and other countries, would he reduced . The letters state that the adverse effect of the present Lev tariff had been accentuated by loss ol orders from tile .Southern States excepting at prices which do not cover the cost of producing t ini her under existing wage standards. This is particularly so in regard to case shocks and case timber, the value of which is merely calculated on the expenditure of labour upon it, without allowing rovaltv or stiimpage. THE NEW ZEALAND TARIFF. The inability of Queensland saw,toilers to sell dressed Louring and. lining in competition with Baltic timbers portends a great 'loss in employment of operatives. r ! lie recent consummation of reciprocal tariff arrangements with New Zealand was not objected to by the League, because of the non-exist-ence in the Dominion of I lie alien amt poor labour standards of wages and other factor, j - I —-i-n t in foreign countries, against which protection is not inequitazly sought. It was doubled whether the approaching negotiations with tln* Canadian Minister for Trade would have iel'erciiee to limber duties, blit this doubt has been dispelled hv the announcement that file .Minister is accompanied by advisers representing lumber and dairying interests respecI ively. : DETERMINED TO RESIST. I The League is determined to resist any further action ealculaUd to injure the timber industry of the -'tatc. The

du'ficullies had also been accentuated hy the admission of timber reputed to li" used for the nianufaeture of boxes at Is per 1(10 superficial feet, whereas the use of such for other purposes, for which a higher tarilf is prescribed, cannot he prevented. The conditions under/which the lumber industry is conducted in Canada are such that the provisions ol the Ar-l-ilrati' ii Court awards uncrating ill the Commonweal! h do not permit ol competi: i ii against the prices ill. which Canadian timber can be bought in Aits, tr.iiia. The majority of labourers in ( amelia!! mills are Chinese, Japanese ami Hindus, whose |iov is less Hum hall the rates paid in Australia, an ! (he “ireo on board" price of much < r the limber shipped abroad is It ss than tlie cost of the logs. The covering letter to Mr Need pointed out that there was not much time left to raise a strong protest against the adoption of reciprocal tarill arrangements in limber with Canada, notwithstanding that it is one ot H«o British Dominimis, though doubtless largely capitalised and Americanised by United States money and tendencies, li. was hoped Hint some publi -ily would he given to the matter in New Xoahtnd. where the timber industry might be similarly affected.