TIMBER TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1923, Page 3

TIMBER TRADE.

RESTRICTION IN EXPORT. .MONDAY, JUNE 18th. A deputation of sttwmillers waited on Mr .1. \V. Collins, Secretary to the Industries and Commerce Department, it ith regard to the restriction of timber export. Mr T. \Y. Duff, County Chairman, was voted to the chair. There were present also Messrs Butler, Wild, Rerham, Stuart, Davidson, Stoop. Appleton, Perry, and Mon Michel. Air Duff introduced the subject. A letter was read from Alalfroy and Coy., protesting against tlie restriction of export. Letters were received also from oilier millers. Mr R. F. Pei ham did not object to tlm Forestry Department, but he did object to the restrictive policy affecting export. The millers had a large amount invested in the trade, and the policy tended to discourage the trade lather than to increase the industry. Hun Miche! said that the Forestry Department should he left out of tho question, a- it was out that Department which was controlling the export. Thai duty rested with the Industries Depart men t. Mr Perliani said that both Departments wen* controlled by the Government. lion Michel agreed that tlie restriction was very serious to the- district. The district, had been held hack by lack of export facilities in the past. The policy tended to bankrupt tho millets. No permits were granted to new mills. That would mean disaster to the millers. They could not nurse their hush on I v for the local trade. They would all be in a bad way if the policy was maintained. The permit io export, unexhausted from one year should he brought forward to ihe next. The men and their families engaged at the work would he driven out of the district. There should lie no collection on tlie Forestry Department. They all believed in reafforest at ion. The restriction affected the principal industry of the Coast. It was a most serious matter to till concerned in Hie district. He proposed when in Wellington this Week to bring several local complaints before Sir F. D. hell amt Sir 11. Rhodes.

Mr I). Stuart protested at the restriction. They had tried to obtain orders in New Zealand and failed to keep their plant, going. They then had to 'ook to Australia. Upwards of TO men were affected hv the restrictions so far as their milling was concerned.

Mr Wild said ii was impossible to disassociate the Forestry Department with the present policy. That Department was seeking income to maintain its works. The red pine hush here would last at least 00 years. Tf the Department went on with realforostation there was plenty of time to grow trees for the future. Ail the mills were working from hand to mouth so far as New Zealand orders were concerned. In one ease the Forestry Department was receiving L"2 10s per day lor royalty, while the Public Works Department was paying out In a day to maintain the toad for tin traffic. Mr Butler said the Director ol Forestry had told a reporter that ii was the policy of the Department to start

small mills. He mentioned this Io make the point clear to Hon Michel. The shortage of i.imber which was alleged at one time uas met fix the Sawmillers Federation agreeing io make good shortages in any part ol the Dominion. Shortages often arose through difficulties of transport. The dairy farmers had raised the point aiamt white pine, full it was met amply. What was wanted apparently was an over-supply of timber so that the commodity might be cheaper tor i olisitmers. Mr Sloop said hi- mill was eoiicerm-d only with white pine at present, though they ivvui I.e. M when t'uir tor" in In run!,-. Then- md! v uo'id be cut ling red pine in tour or lite .'ears' * time. lie suggested cnliservtlt ion of areas instead of restriction. so that available mills could he kept in operni lull. .Mr Butler remarked that "lien the restriction-, were brought into force compulsorily, the .Miller-' federation made the host bargain they could. At the time the restrictions should cover only three year-. This was agreed to at tiie suggestion of the then ('hairman of tile Board ol Trade. I he hope was that by the end of three years the necessity for the restriction might pass. 11l 1922 the three years ran out, le.it when the regulations were reenacted. the authorities cut out two years of the original ten years the restrictions were to run. It meant cuttin out 37 millions of export lor the trade, and it was also a distinct breach of faith on the pan of the authorities. At tlie time of the shortage in New Zealand I be millers met the position fairly without increasing tlie charges, and sold at a less rate than that obtainable by export, lie urged that the 00-ued balance o! tin* export permit should be carried leeward. That would he only lair to those ill (lie business. If those unused totals were carried forward it would not mean any greater export than that outlined when the restrictions were first brought in. The restrictive export lias a strong hack'ng to which they must how, hot thev were eiittitled to consideration veil h regard tu the suggestion now made. New millers could then have cunsidentioii which they have not no"'. .Mr G. A. Perry said it was a question whether the p're-eni or the future generations should he looked after. The Dominion market is very tlal nt present. ~Unless there was assistance in regard to export tlie mills would have to (dose down and ereato more unemployment. The policy <d restriction was a serious matter front a business point of view. In depressed times the export should lie permitted. There were sign- of depression ill sight now, and the position should he dealt with in its merits in the light of doing what was possible for the present time. Air J. \Y. Collins said lie was pleased to meet the deputation and discuss the position. He was impressed with the facts brought forward, and by their concern with the fate of the industry. lie first came into the mutter in 1!>17 when the white pine shortage wa- brought up. He said Mr Butler had put the position very fairly. Tlie millers should he grateful to the Board of Trade for the suggestion then made with respect in white pine, that there should fa* no restriction while the local market was met. During the war period the Board oi Trade took action in reference to prices. This was discussed with tlie Millers' Federation, and wa- fairly arranged. As soon as the war was over the Board of Trade lifted all price control. There was no suggestion of profiteering by the millers. The question ot the testriction of red pine was before them for some time. In 1921 the millers were untitled of the restriction, and a circular letter was read hearing on the subject. Tu April of last year the regulations were revised. Ample notice was given, and anyone who went, in for more hush must surely have known the position, and were absolutely restricted. The Government were quite serious about the policy. It was very definite. The deputation were meeting the wrong man. He had his orders from the Government to carry out the regulations to tho letter. This vear he had no latitude in the mat-

ter. The export was restricted to 12 million feet. He knew tho district and its timber capabilities. But quite candidly lie could not help them, unless the policy of the Government was altered. The Board of Trade and the Commerce Department had done all it could. He understood the Hon Michel was going to the Ministry on the subject, ami that was the proper course. .Mr Collins discussed the matter further with the millers, suggesting there was hope for tho trade within the Dominion shortly improving. Air Butler emphasised the fact that the .Millers’ Federation had made strong representations to the Government. The Chairman thanked Air Collins for his attendance and information conveyed.