The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, DEC. 28th, 1022 OF SERIOUS IMPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, DEC. 28th, 1022 OF SERIOUS IMPORT.

The matter of the forestry policy of the country continues of serious import to this district, and of all localities where there are forest areas under the control of the Forest Service, i ILast week the local bodies had occasion to meet, and discuss aspects of revenue. It was plain that not only had tho Government failed to carry out verbal and implied promises to review the issues for the local bodies favourably, but now went further and purposed to cut off altogether the revenue I for local bodies from timber royalties revenue. The local lrodies are combining for self-preservation, Iml they have been slow to move, and they will have an uphill fight to obtain a reasonable measure of justice. The industry itself stands in jeopardy also; and again the sawmillers have been palpably slow in organising to protect their interests, and that of the future of tho industry. Notwithstanding that Mr Massey is so often preaching “production, more production, and still more production,” in tho timber trade tho Government appears to he deliberately endeavouring to restrict output and to limit the possibilities of organised industry to produce a cheaper commodity for tlie consumer. The other day Mr Maseey spoke about the limitation of sawmill areas, a step which at once restricts capital in tlm organisa- ] iion of ft large undertaking for the benefit of ehenppp jH'odnpt'fw. TSirlin!'

we have had the limitation of export, and the imposition of restrictive regulations which are a positive menace to tlie expan.sian of the trade on sound economic lines. Only one side of the question appears to he given out to the public and that side is largely theoretical. The practical application of the present forestry policy is not boing realised by tho public. Even the employees through their unions do not seem to understand the restrictive conditions into which the industry will pass, if the situation is not tackled with useful publicity propaganda to awaken public opinion to a sense of the danger ahead. A province such as this teeming with forest resources, lias its most vital interests at stake, and yet day by day, month by month, there is in difference to the set of circumstances growing up. to the regulations and line of administration which is going to stifle the industry, because it will block enterprise, limit capital expenditure, and result in less employment for labor. It is a serious situation of special import to this Coast, and «e are wondering bow long the drift '•> going to be submitted to. Th'”'o was tho example of 1919 when Sir F ,). Bell came amongst us, of the attitude of the Government, and that attilure which was to deliberately ignore the enterprising sawmiller and read,’ employer of labor, is being maintained. More, it is being intensified according to the Prime Minister's latest pronouncement that sawmilling areas are to be restricted. The restrict’in v.-ill limit the scope of tile possible enterprise. Tt will mean that a township such as Ruatapu will for the future be impossible. An enterprise which s pushing what is virtually a railway south from Ross, will be impossible also. There can be no aggregating of employment such as the two examples quoted, have brought about. The i>> t reduction of capital will be blocked and all large enterprise stifle I. We venture to say that no other industry is being so treated. Why should the timber industry be treated exceptionally, unless it is for the faddists to air theories and talk platitudes which produce no material results, but those of a negative character. If the Government were to take such action with mining as it is taking with sawinilling, it would moan that a great enterprise like that at South Hokitika would not be possible. If then, in a district such as this, forest clad from ocean beach to mountain side, is to be held up> by restrictive regulations what are the people going to say in protest to such admnistration ? Their birthright, the tribute of nature which has been placed at their doors, is to be taken from them—and for what purpose? Xomin ally for posterity—for unborn millions -—but actually to create a most expensive Department which is quite out of touch with local feeling, aiul which is Irent 01/ destroying enterprise, creating unemployment and introducing a liarrassing condition of affairs which will have an untoward effect on the temper of the people once the full import of the forestry policy is realised. It is clearly tho duty of public opinion to assort itself. The local bodies are moving in regard to one phase. The employers and employees have their interests at stake, too. end they should ho equally alert or the substance which is theirs will ho lost and the shadow only remain.