The Guardian AND EVENING STAR. FRIDAY, MARCH 23rd, 1923. THE TIMBER TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1923, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR. FRIDAY, MARCH 23rd, 1923. THE TIMBER TRADE.

The timber trade means so much to Westland with its vast stretch of forest lands, that the community can well afford to pay more than passing attention to its vicissitudes. As a means to clear the land for future, permanent settlement, and as an avenue for employment and production, the timber trade is of outstanding importance to the welfare of the district. By the employment it provides and the wealth it brings in to the district, it is a prime factor in that general degree of local prosperity which the average business man participates in. Anything to assist the timber trade to flourish and add to its productivity, is of value to the place, for the increased trade which follows is helpful all round. It was indicated by a paragraph on Wednesday last, that all was not- well with the timber trade from an economic point of view. The capacity of the infills at present cutting was about double that of the orders available, a condition of affairs which cannot be considered satisfactory either from the

point of view of the employer oi the employed. Of kite years there has been quite a rush for sawmill propositions. lured on by an artificial condition of prosperity in the Dominion resiiltJ ant from temporary high prices. But I when primary products fell below the (abnormal, the s.iwinilling industry in 1 common with all other supply trades also felt the slump. Westland is well equipped with sawmills some of which have come into being by reason of the possibilities of the trade which will find a ready outlet through the Arthur’s I’ass tunnel. Rut this volume of trade will have its limitations, and the mills already in being promise to cater for it very amply. Looking ahead, the mill I owners ns a means of .self-preservation j have been moved to associate tlieinI selves as a co-operative trading concern so that whatever orders come this way may he pooled, and divided among the subscribing firms according to cutting capacity. From an economic point of view this is a wise step to take. It will prevent serious dislocation of labor, and we should not expect any cut in wages resulting from unemployment and men clamouring for work. It will enable hush lands to he cut out with less waste, that is, there will he the opportunity under the quota system of getting rid of the second class timber to some, advantage, instead of leaving it in the slab to Ire used up in firewood. These are two considerations of the highest importance as affecting general prosperity, affecting not only the millowner and his employees, but the public at large, also. These are the days of organisation, and just as the workmen found it advantageous to

associate themselves for the common

purpose of securing their interests, so ns a natural sequence, the millowners have to act likewise as a common defence. But the employers’ action will benefit their employers' also, as the association will spread the labour available to better advantage, keep more mills going to better advantage, and consequently more men will have sustained employment. The association, we would expect also will keep down price cutting, which from a district point of view is also necessary and ;d----fects the mills which have to he the more remote from the immediate market. The sawniiller is hedged in nowadays with many difficulties, hut his chief trouble at the moment is the restricted market. Wore there ample orders coming in it would he possible to endure many hampering regulations and conditions but without the orders the miller is without the main resource to carry on.